Diagnosis of Achalasia

Cho, Young Kwan; Kim, Seong Hwan

doi:2014.14.2.79

Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res > Volume 14(2); 2014 > Article

Review

The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 2014;14(2):79-81.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2014.14.2.79 Published online June 10, 2014.

Diagnosis of Achalasia

Young Kwan Cho, Seong Hwan Kim

Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. shkim@eulj.ac.kr

식도이완불능증의 진단

조영관, 김성환

을지대학교 의과대학 내과학교실

Abstract

Achalasia is a rare primary motor disorder of the esophagus. Achalasia is characterized by insufficient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. The patients present with symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation and chest pain. The diagnostic tools of achalasia include esophageal manometry, esophagogram, and endoscopy. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard however endoscopy and esophagogram plays complementary roles for diagnosis of achalasia. Endoscopy is essential to rule out pseudoachalasia and mechanical obstruction before diagnosis of achalasia. Esophagogram is recommended to assess esophageal emptying and gastroesophageal junction morphology in those with equivocal esophageal manometry findings.

Key Words: Achalasia; High resolution manometry