Recurrent Esophageal Stricture Following Caustic Injury From a Concentrated Herbal Preparation in a Resource-Limited Setting

Caustic esophageal injury is a frequently overlooked health problem, despite its serious impact on patients' quality of life. We report the case of a 24-year-old male from an island region of Indonesia who developed esophageal stricture after consuming a traditional herbal preparation with low potential of Hydrogen. Delayed endoscopy, due to limited facilities and financial constraints, further worsened the condition. The patient experienced recurrent dysphagia 6 months after dilation, necessitating conservative management with staged dilation and intralesional triamcinolone injection. This case highlights an unusual etiology, a multidimensional burden, and the need for effective therapeutic strategies and preventive health policies.