Synonyms
Cardiospasm; Aperistalsis; Megaesophagus; Esophageal dystonia; Dolichoesophagus
Definition and Characteristics
The defining characteristics of achalasia are failure of the esophago-gastric-junction (EGJ) high-pressure zone to relax adequately with swallowing and aperistalsis in the smooth muscle esophagus as measured by manometry. The lower esophageal resting pressure (LES) is elevated in 60% [1]. The functional significance is of poor bolus transit as evident by fluoroscopy, scintigraphy or impedance measurement. Dysphagia is a fundamental symptom of achalasia and is perceived as a relative obstruction to the passage of food or liquid from the oral cavity to the stomach. However, other symptoms such as regurgitation, chest pain, heart burn, and weight lost may predominate. Achalasia has been divided into classic and vigorous forms, the latter defining a subset of patients with higher mean simultaneous esophageal contraction amplitudes. However, the cutoff values for higher...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Kraichely RE, Farrugia G (2006) Achalasia: physiology and etiopathogenesis. Dis Esophagus 19:213–223
Frieling T, Berges W, Borchard F, Enck P, Wienbeck M (1988) Family occurrence of achalasia and diffuse spasm of the esophagus. Gut 29:1595–1602
Des Varannes SB, Chevalier J, Pimont S, Le Neel J-C, Klotz M, Schafer K-H, Galmiche J-P, Neunlist M (2006) Serum from achalasia patients may alter neurochemical coding in the myenteric plexus and NO-mediated motor response in normal human fundus. Gut 55:319–326
Vaezi MF, Richter JE (1999) Diagnosis and management of achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol 94:3406–3412
Shaheen NJ (2004) What is the best management strategy for achalasia? Gastroenterology 217:1850–1857
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Frieling, T. (2009). Achalasia. In: Lang, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29676-8_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29676-8_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-67136-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29676-8
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences