Schatzki ring presenting as anaphylactic glottis edema

Episodic dysphagia and dyspnea of breath after food intake can be the clini cal presentation of a so-called Schatzki ring, which is a thin mucous membr ane ring in the lower esophagus. We present the case of a patient in whom t he symptoms of a Schatzki ring were mistaken for an anaphylactic glottis ed ema caused by unidentified food or additives. Repeatedly and as it seemed s uccessfully, the patient had been treated with corticosteroids and antihist amines for acute attacks. Over the years the unclear complaints led to a co nsiderable restriction of the patients diet, made her feel socially insecur e, and consequently considerably reduced quality of her life. The Schatzki ring is diagnosed with X-ray or endoscopy, but had not been diagnosed when a gastroscopy was performed in the previous year. The patient was cured aft er the ring had been gastroscopically torn.