Search results for "Achalasia"

Opioid-induced Lower Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction

2015

The adverse gastrointestinal effects of opioids have been extensively described in medical literature.1 Their effect takes place mainly on the enteric nervous system, through receptors in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. There are 3 recognized main opium receptors (μ, δ, and κ) that are expressed in the central and enteric nervous systems, which mediate the gastrointestinal effects.2 The mainly studied adverse gastrointestinal effect of opioids is constipation, due to the greater understanding of opium receptor physiology in the colon.3 However their effect on esophageal motility has seldom been studied. Our study’s objective was to assess esophageal motility, using high-resolution ma…

Murine genetic deficiency of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS-/-) and interstitial cells of Cajal (W/Wv): Implications for achalasia?

2014

Background and aim Nitric oxide (NO) is an important inhibitory mediator of esophageal function, and its lack leads to typical features of achalasia. In contrast, the role of intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function is still controversial. Therefore, we examined the function and morphology of the LES in vivo in NO-deficient (nNOS(-/-) ), ICC-IM-deficient (W/W(v) )-, and wild-type (WT) mice. Methods Esophageal manometry was performed with a micro-sized transducer catheter to quantify LES pressure, swallow evoked LES relaxation, and esophageal body motility. The LES morphology was examined by semiqu…

Outcomes of pneumatic dilation in achalasia: Extended follow-up of more than 25 years with a focus on manometric subtypes

2018

Background and aim Pneumatic dilation (PD) is the most popular nonsurgical treatment for achalasia. This study investigated predicting factors, including manometric subtypes for symptom recurrence in the long term, in patients with achalasia treated with a single PD. Methods Between 1983 and 2013, a total of 107 patients were treated initially with a single PD and included in this longitudinal cohort study. Outcomes were correlated with demographics, symptoms (Eckardt score), and esophagographic and manometric features. Manometric tracings were retrospectively classified according to the three subtypes of the Chicago classification. Results Ninety-one (85%) patients were successfully treate…

JC Virus, Helicobacter pylori, and Oesophageal Achalasia: Preliminary Results from a Retrospective Case-Control Study.

2012

Achalasia with megaesophagus and tracheal compression in a young patient: A case report.

2015

Highlights • This report emphasizes that physicians should be alert and consider airway obstruction and signs of dyspnea as severe and threatening symptoms in extensive cases of achalasia with megaesophagus. • Early surgical treatment provides a therapeutic option to obviate the occurrence of acute respiratory distress and consecutive complications. • In particular, difficulties in intubation prior to surgery must be considered. Due to potential tracheomalacia, the status of “bull frog neck” in achalasia, including severe tracheal compression caused by megaesophagus with concomitant cervical swelling, may also lead to extubation problems and deserves special care in the postoperative period.

Clinical Presentation and Complications of Achalasia

2001

Patients with achalasia often present with atypical symptoms. If these occur in the context of "normal" morphological findings, the diagnosis may be delayed for several years. However, a careful interview and the use of modern methods that concentrate on pathophysiologic aspects always allow an early diagnosis and the initiation of therapy that affects most but rarely all symptoms. Finally, regardless of whether this therapy remains partially or totally effective, patients require some follow-up since serious and late complications may occur.

Achalasie oder Pseudoachalasie? Fallstricke der Diagnostik und Therapieentscheidung

2007

History Patient 1 (female, aged 55 years) had for some time complained of morning nausea. She reported symptoms of reflux with regurgitation of food for two-and-a-half years and also dysphagia with retrosternal bolus obstruction for the last eighteen months. Patient 2 (male, aged 84 years) complained of restrosternal dysphagia with each intake of food for one year, weight loss of 12 kg and occasional regurgitation of food. Investigations The general condition of patient 1 was only slightly impaired but that of patient 2 markedly reduced. Routine laboratory tests were unremarkable in both. Barium meal in patient 1 revealed fixed narrowing in the region of the esophageal hiatus. The inferior …

Nutritional Support After Surgery of the Esophagus

2019

Surgery of the esophagus may be indicated for benign and malignant pathologies. Esophageal cancer represents the most frequent indication for surgical treatment, and the important nutritional concern arisen in relationship between cancer, surgery, and nutritional status of operated oncological patients has been explored by a vast scientific literature. Among benign pathologies indicating surgery involving the esophagus, achalasia has been largely studied, with surgery representing one of several effective therapeutic options.

Achalasia Secondary to Submucosal Invasion by Poorly Differentiated Adenocarcinoma of the Cardia, Siewert II: Consideration on Preoperative Workup.

2014

Secondary achalasia due to submucosal invasion of cardia by gastric cancer is a rare condition. We report a case of pseudoachalasia, secondary to the involvement of gastroesophageal junction by poorly differentiated gastric cancer, initially mistaken as idiopathic form. We focus on the difficulty to establish differential diagnosis only on the basis of routine exams and we stress the necessity of “second level” instrumental exams; EUS in routine workup in selected patients should be considered. We support that routine workup based on history, clinical presentation, radiological and endoscopic findings, and certainly manometry could be insufficient for a correct differential diagnosis betwee…

Achalasia

2012

Introduction Many physicians are inadequately familiar with the clinical features of achalasia. Often, it is not diagnosed until years after the symptoms arise. This is unfortunate, because a delay in diagnosis worsens the prognosis.