Title: Esophageal dysmotility, esophageal motility disorder, causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment
Headings: Esophageal dysmotility
Esophageal dysmotility
Esophageal motility disorder
Esophagus anatomy
Figure 1. Esophagus
Figure 2. Esophagus anatomy
Figure 3. Cross section view of the esophagus
Esophagus physiology
Figure 4. How the esophagus works
Upper esophageal sphincter
Peristalsis
Lower esophageal sphincter
Esophageal motility disorder causes
Primary esophageal causes of esophageal dysmotility include:
Systemic disorders causing esophageal dysmotility include:
Esophageal motility disorder symptoms
Achalasia
Spastic esophageal motility disorders
Scleroderma esophagus
Esophageal motility disorder diagnosis
Esophageal motility disorder treatment
Esophageal strictures treatment
Achalasia treatment
Medications
Botulinum toxin injection
Mechanical dilation
Surgery
Common pitfalls and side-effects of management
Esophageal motility disorder prognosis
Achalasia
Scleroderma esophagus
Spastic esophageal motility disorders
Mortality and morbidity
Complications
Achalasia and squamous cell carcinoma
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Content: The significance of these disorders is not fully understood however, as abnormal results can be seen in patients with and without symptoms, and the pain may not be directly attributable to dysmotility. Fortunately, these spastic disorders are not typically progressive or fatal. Treatment risks must therefore be especially weighed against potential benefits, with consideration of low-risk treatments (e.g., proton pump inhibitor to rule out possible GERD) first. Other options range from swallowing warm liquids with meals to invasive treatments used for achalasia (see below). Bougienage and serial dilation with increasing sizes of bougies may be effective for some patients. Potential benefit may also be seen from smooth muscle relaxants (e.g., nitrates, calcium channel blockers) or antidepressants (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Esophagus anatomy
The tubular esophagus is a muscular organ, approximately 25 cm in length, and has specialized sphincters at proximal and distal ends. The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is comprised of several striated muscles, creating a tonically closed valve and preventing air from entering into the gastrointestinal tract. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is composed entirely of smooth muscle and maintains a steady baseline tone to prevent gastric reflux into the esophagus. The body of the esophagus is similarly composed of 2 muscle types.