esophagus extrinsec impressions

Example of the variable appearance of the postcricoid impression, which is due to the prolapse of lax mucosal folds over the ventral submucosal venous plexus (arrow). It is not seen after the barium bolus is passed. (Normal variant images from: Keats TE and Anderston MW: Atlas of Normal Roentgen Variants That May Simulate Disease, 8/e. Mosby 2007.)

Esophagus, Mediastinum / Conventional Radiography / Esophagus is narrowed at the level of deviation.
Esophageal impression (arrow) by an ectatic descending thoracic aorta. The esophagus is narrowed at the level of deviation. (From Levine MS, Gilchrist AM: Esophageal deviation: Pushed or pulled? AJR 149:513-514, 1987, © by American Roentgen Ray Society.)



Esophagus / Conventional Radiography / Smooth, gently sloping indentation (arrows) of the right posterolateral wall of the upper thoracic esophagus between the thoracic inlet and the aortic arch
Extrinsic impression on the esophagus by a prominent right inferior supra-azygous recess. There is a smooth, gently sloping indentation (arrows) of the right posterolateral wall of the upper thoracic esophagus between the thoracic inlet and the aortic arch. (From Sam JW, Levine MS, Miller WT: The right inferior supra-azygous recess: A cause of upper esophageal pseudomass on double-contrast esophagography. AJR 171:1583-1586, 1998, © by American Roentgen Ray Society.)


Compression of the cricopharyngeus muscle. (Normal variant images from: Keats TE and