[2][3] Patients with Schatzki rings can develop intermittent difficulty swallowing or, more seriously, a completely blocked esophagus.

This can cause crushing chest pain and may need immediate treatment with endoscopy, which is the use of a specialized fibre-optic camera in order to remove the lodged food.

[4] After the obstruction is located, snares or forceps are inserted to pull the food out of the esophagus or to push it into the stomach.

[citation needed] Although many hypotheses have been proffered, the cause of Schatzki rings remains uncertain; both congenital and acquired factors may be involved.

A short course of proton pump inhibitor therapy may decrease aggravation by stomach acid reflux into the esophagus.

[citation needed] About 6 to 14 percent of patients who receive a routine barium swallow test of the esophagus are found to have a Schatzki ring.