| dc.description.abstract | Background: The esophagus can suffer several motor disturbances of
striated or smooth muscle. Aim: To determine the presence of primary motor disturbances of the
esophagus among a group of patients with esophageal symptoms. Material and methods:
Prospective study of 5,440 patients consulting for heartburn, chest pain or dysphagia, with primary
esophageal motor disturbances, studied between 1994 and 2004. All were subjected to an
esophageal manometry with eight perfused catheters connected to pressure transducers. Results:
Nineteen percent of subjects had a normal esophageal manometry, 60% had unspecific motor
disturbances usually associated to gastroesophageal reflux, 13% had a nutcracker esophagus, 5%
had diffuse esophageal spasm, 2% had achalasia and 0,3% had an hypertensive sphincter.
Conclusions: Primary esophageal motor disturbances are common among patients with esophageal
symptoms. A manometry should be performed to these patients. | |
