Achalasia: Diagnosis and Management
Author Department
Surgery
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
2-2025
Abstract
Achalasia is an incurable condition of the esophagus involving the inflammation and degeneration of inhibitory neurons of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resulting in failure of the LES to relax. Typical symptoms of achalasia are dysphagia, retrosternal chest pain, regurgitation, and weight loss. Three studies are typically required for the diagnosis of achalasia: barium swallow, high-resolution esophageal manometry, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Differential diagnosis includes gastroesophageal reflux disease, pseudoachalasia, neoplasm, and nonachalasia esophageal motility disorders such as scleroderma, jackhammer esophagus, distal esophageal spasm, and nutcracker esophagus.
Keywords: Achalasia; Botulinum toxin injection; Chicago classification; Heller myotomy; High-resolution esophageal manometry; POEM; Pneumatic dilatation.
Recommended Citation
Provenza CG, Romanelli JR. Achalasia: Diagnosis and Management. Surg Clin North Am. 2025 Feb;105(1):143-158. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2024.06.011. Epub 2024 Sep 6.
PMID
39523069