striktur

Striktur is a medical term for a narrowing of a tubular structure in the body, resulting in partial or complete obstruction. Striktur can affect many organs, most commonly the esophagus, urethra, small or large intestine, biliary or pancreatic ducts, or blood vessels.

Etiology includes benign causes such as scar formation after inflammation or injury, peptic or radiation-induced damage, infection, surgery, ischemia, or congenital malformations; malignant strictures are caused by tumor growth encroaching on a lumen.

Pathophysiology involves reduced lumen diameter, leading to impaired passage of contents and potential obstruction, stasis, and secondary complications.

Symptoms are site-specific. Esophageal strictures cause dysphagia and regurgitation; urethral strictures cause obstructive urinary symptoms; biliary or pancreatic duct strictures cause jaundice, abdominal pain, and cholestasis; intestinal strictures can cause cramping and partial obstruction.

Diagnosis relies on history and physical examination, endoscopy or endoscopic ultrasound, and imaging. Endoscopy is used to visualize and treat many strictures; imaging modalities include CT, MRI, ultrasound, and targeted studies such as ERCP or MRCP for biliary disease, and urethrography for urethral disease.

Treatment aims to relieve obstruction and address the underlying cause. Common approaches include endoscopic dilation with balloons or bougies, intralesional steroid injections in selected sites, and stent placement; refractory cases may require surgical reconstruction such as stricturoplasty or resection with anastomosis. Biliary strictures are often managed with ERCP-guided dilation and stenting; urethral strictures may require urethroplasty.

Prognosis varies by site and cause. Benign strictures may recur and require repeat dilations; malignant strictures have a poorer outlook but treatment focuses on symptom relief and palliation.

See also: stenosis, obstruction, fistula.