Esophageal dilation is a procedure in which, during an upper endoscopy, a special balloon is used to dilate/stretch a narrowed area of your food pipe which is called the esophagus, the tube that connects your throat with the stomach. You will be under sedation for this procedure. This procedure could help relieve the feeling of food “stuck” in the chest region. A number of medical conditions could lead to a narrowing of the esophagus, including infection or acid coming up from the stomach. Please refer to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy website for a more detailed explanation. Understanding Esophageal Dilation