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Treatment

Pediatric Esophageal Dilatation

The esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, can become narrowed and cause swallowing difficulty. Causes of this narrowing include stricture formation, usually after surgery, allergies, or even injury from caustic substances. Dilatation is when a high-pressure balloon is inserted into the esophagus and inflated to open up these narrowed portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an esophageal dilatation performed in children?

Will my child feel any pain during an esophageal dilatation procedure?

Will my child be awake for the esophageal dilatation procedure?

What are the risks of esophageal dilatation in children?

How do my child and I prepare for the esophageal dilatation procedure?

What should we expect after the esophageal dilatation procedure?

When can my child resume normal activity after an esophageal dilatation procedure?

Contact Children's National Hospital immediately if your child experiences any of the following:

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Interventional Radiology at Children's National Hospital

Our pediatric interventional radiologists perform a full range of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to both diagnose and treat disease in infants, children and adolescents. Discover more about the treatment we offer.

doctor examines xray results with little girl
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PATIENT STORY

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    Departments that Offer Esophageal Dilatation

    Nurse giving girl a stuffed animal in MRI imaging room

    Interventional Radiology

    Children's National interventional radiologists perform a full range of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to both diagnose and treat disease in infants, children, and adolescents.