Steakhouse Syndrome
Condition
(Esophageal Food Bolus Obstruction)
Definition
Steakhouse syndrome is when a mass of food gets stuck on the way to the stomach. It gets stuck in the tube that connects the mouth and stomach.
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Steakhouse syndrome can happen when a large amount of food is swallowed. It is more common with more solid foods like meat.
Risk Factors
This is more common in older people. Things that can raise the risk of steakhouse syndrome are:
- Not chewing food well
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Wearing dentures
- Having a physical problem that affects how food moves down the esophagus such as:
- Having a condition that affects the esophagus, such as:
- Schatzkis ring
- Esophageal stricture
- Hiatal hernia
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Esophageal cancer or other tumors
Symptoms
A person with this may have:
- Chest pain
- Problems swallowing
- Drooling
- Coughing, gagging, choking
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. Tests may be done if it keeps happening with no clear cause. Tests may include:
Treatment
The food may move down to the stomach on its own. To help it move the doctor may advise:
- Drinking a carbonated beverage such as soda.
- An injection of glucagon. It will ease pressure in the throat and may allow food to pass.
An endoscopy may be done if the food does not pass. A scope will be passed through the mouth and down the throat. Small tools will be passed down the tube to remove the food or push it down to the stomach.
The doctor will look for possible reasons the food was blocked. It may help to prevent another event.
Prevention
To help reduce the risk of steakhouse syndrome:
- Chew slowly and until the food is small enough to safely swallow.
- Follow any treatment plan given for health issues in the throat or stomach.
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
American College of Gastroenterology
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
American College of Gastroenterology
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology
References
- Esophageal food impaction. Radiopaedia website. Available at: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/oesophageal-food-impaction?lang=us. Accessed May 17, 2022.
- Esophageal foreign body removal. EBSCO Health DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/procedure/esophageal-foreign-body-removal-16. Accessed May 17, 2022.
- Foreign body removal: esophageal—assisting with. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Accessed May 17, 2022.
- Shikino, K. and Ikusaka, M. Steakhouse syndrome. Clinical Case Reports, 2021; 9(6): e04329.
Contributors
- Marcin Chwistek, MD
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