Achalasia: Diagnosis, Management and Surveillance

Influence of Achalasia on the Spirometry Flow-Volume Curve and Peak Expiratory Flow

BACKGROUND

Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder characterized by aperistalsis and the failure of the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. We want to find out whether external compression or recurrent micro-aspiration of undigested food has a functional effect on the airway.

METHODS

The aim of this research was to analyze the influence of achalasia on the peak expiratory flow and flow-volume curve. All of the 110 patients performed spirometry.

RESULTS

The mean diameter of the esophagus was 5.4 ± 2.1 cm, and nine of the patients had mega-esophagus. Seven patients had a plateau in the inspiratory part of the flow-volume curve, which coincides with the patients who had mega-esophagus. The rest of the patients had a plateau in the expiration part of the curve. The existence of a plateau in the diameter of the esophagus of more than 5 cm was significant (p 0.003). Statistical significance between the existence of a plateau and a lowered PEF (PEF < 80) has been proven (p 0.001). Also, a statistical significance between the subtype and diameter of more than 4 cm has been proved. There was no significant improvement in the PEF values after operation. In total, 20.9% of patients had a spirometry abnormality finding. The frequency of the improvement in the spirometry values after surgery did not differ significantly by achalasia subtype. The improvement in FEV1 was statistically significant compared to the FVC values.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the influence of achalasia on the pulmonary parameters is important because low values of PEF with a plateau on the spirometry loop can lead to misdiagnosis. The recognition of various patterns of the spirometry loop may help in identifying airway obstruction caused by another non-pulmonary disease such as achalasia.

Esophageal cancer in an adult with congenital esophageal stenosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a rare condition. We encountered a case of esophageal cancer that developed in an adult with persistent CES. Although many studies have investigated the therapeutic outcomes and performed surveillance for symptoms after treatment for CES, few have performed long-term surveillance or reported on the development of esophageal cancer. We report this case because it is extremely rare and has important implications.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 45-year-old woman with worsening dysphagia was transferred to our hospital. The patient was diagnosed with CES at 5 years of age and underwent surgery at another hospital. The patient underwent esophageal dilatation for stenosis at 36 years of age. Esophagoscopy performed at our hospital revealed a circumferential ulcerated lesion and stenosis 15-29 cm from the incisors. Histological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) revealed abnormal circumferential wall thickening in parts of the cervical and almost the entire thoracic esophagus. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-CT revealed increased uptake in the cervical and upper esophagus. No uptake was observed in the muscular layers of the middle or lower esophagus. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with clinical stage IVB cervical and upper esophageal cancer (T3N1M1 [supraclavicular lymph nodes]). The patient underwent a total esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The esophagus was markedly thickened and tightly adhered to the adjacent organs. Severe fibrosis was observed around the trachea. Marked thickening of the muscular layer was observed throughout the esophagus; histopathological examination revealed that this thickening was due to increased smooth muscle mass. No cartilage, bronchial epithelium, or glands were observed. The carcinoma extended from the cervical to the middle esophagus, oral to the stenotic region. Finally, we diagnosed the patient with esophageal cancer developing on CES of the fibromuscular thickening type.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic mechanical and chemical irritations are believed to cause cancer of the upper esophagus oral to a persistent CES, suggesting the need for long-term surveillance that focuses on residual stenosis and cancer development in patients with CES.

Role of endoscopy in patients with achalasia

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by impaired lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and peristalsis of the esophageal body. With the increasing prevalence of achalasia, interest in the role of endoscopy in its diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring is also growing. The major diagnostic modalities for achalasia include high-resolution manometry, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and barium esophagography. Endoscopic assessment is important for early diagnosis to rule out diseases that mimic achalasia symptoms, such as pseudo-achalasia, esophageal cancer, esophageal webs, and eosinophilic esophagitis. The major endoscopic characteristics suggestive of achalasia include a widened esophageal lumen and food residue in the esophagus. Once diagnosed, achalasia can be treated either endoscopically or surgically. The preference for endoscopic treatment is increasing owing to its minimal invasiveness. Botulinum toxins, pneumatic balloon dilation, and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are important endoscopic treatments. Previous studies have demonstrated excellent treatment outcomes for POEM, with >95% improvement in dysphagia, making POEM the mainstay treatment option for achalasia. Several studies have reported an increased risk of esophageal cancer in patients with achalasia. However, routine endoscopic surveillance remains controversial owing to the lack of sufficient data. Further studies on surveillance methods and duration are warranted to establish concordant guidelines for the endoscopic surveillance of achalasia.

Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment progress of achalasia of cardia

Achalasia cardia, type of esophageal dynamic disorder, is a relatively rare primary motor esophageal disease characterized by the functional loss of plexus ganglion cells in the distal esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. Loss of function of the distal and lower esophageal sphincter ganglion cells is the main cause of achalasia cardia, and is more likely to occur in the elderly. Histological changes in the esophageal mucosa are considered pathogenic; however, studies have found that inflammation and genetic changes at the molecular level may also cause achalasia cardia, resulting in dysphagia, reflux, aspiration, retrosternal pain, and weight loss. Currently, the treatment options for achalasia focus on reducing the resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, helping to empty the esophagus and relieve symptoms. Treatment measures include botulinum toxin injection, inflatable dilation, stent insertion, and surgical myotomy (open or laparoscopic). Surgical procedures are often subject to controversy owing to concerns about safety and effectiveness, particularly in older patients. Herein, we review clinical epidemiological and experimental data to determine the prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options for achalasia to support its clinical management.