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| Listed below are different types of procedures that are associated with diagnosing achalasia. |
| Routine Testing Procedures to Help Diagnose Achalasia |
Barium Esophagram
The diagnosis of achalasia should be suspected in any one complaining of dysphagia for solids and
liquids with regurgitation of food and saliva. The clinical suspicion should be confirmed by a barium esophagram.( see examples with
this link). What a barium esophogram procedure entails.
This will show smooth tapering of the lower esophagus leading to the closed lower esophageal
sphincter (LES), resembling a "bird's beak." Esophageal manometry establishes the diagnosis
showing esophageal aperistalsis and insufficient LES relaxation. All patients should undergo upper
endoscopy to exclude pseudoachalasia arising from a tumor at the
gastroesophageal junction.
liquids with regurgitation of food and saliva. The clinical suspicion should be confirmed by a barium esophagram.( see examples with
this link). What a barium esophogram procedure entails.
This will show smooth tapering of the lower esophagus leading to the closed lower esophageal
sphincter (LES), resembling a "bird's beak." Esophageal manometry establishes the diagnosis
showing esophageal aperistalsis and insufficient LES relaxation. All patients should undergo upper
endoscopy to exclude pseudoachalasia arising from a tumor at the
gastroesophageal junction.
Manometry
Esophageal manometry is a procedure for determining how well the muscle of the esophagus works when GERD (acid reflux) is
suspected. Manometry is used primarily in three situations:
To evaluate possible causes of reflux (regurgitation) of acid and stomach contents back into the esophagus.
To determine the cause of a swallowing difficulties,i.e achalasia.
To evaluate possible causes of chest pain that may be coming from the esophagus.
How a manometry is preformed.
suspected. Manometry is used primarily in three situations:
To evaluate possible causes of reflux (regurgitation) of acid and stomach contents back into the esophagus.
To determine the cause of a swallowing difficulties,i.e achalasia.
To evaluate possible causes of chest pain that may be coming from the esophagus.
How a manometry is preformed.
Esophageal Endoscopy
This diagnostic test is used to detect tumors, inflammation, ulcers, or other problems in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. During
the test, an endoscope is inserted through the patient’s mouth and through the digestive tract so the doctor can visually examine
internal organs.
An Esophageal Endoscopy is helpful in determining the cause of various symptoms including:
Difficulty swallowing
Persistent nausea or vomiting; vomiting blood
Diarrhea
Blood in stool
Weight loss
Chest pain
Heartburn
the test, an endoscope is inserted through the patient’s mouth and through the digestive tract so the doctor can visually examine
internal organs.
An Esophageal Endoscopy is helpful in determining the cause of various symptoms including:
Difficulty swallowing
Persistent nausea or vomiting; vomiting blood
Diarrhea
Blood in stool
Weight loss
Chest pain
Heartburn
24 Hour pH Testing
The 24 hour pH test is one useful way to determine if a patient has acid reflux (GERD) is to measure the pH level in the esophagus to
determine the degree of acidity present there. In the standard procedure, a catheter is placed in the esophagus for 24 hours for
measurement of the pH level. This test is used a lot of times after a surgery to make sure there isn't any acid reflux in an achalasia
patient.
determine the degree of acidity present there. In the standard procedure, a catheter is placed in the esophagus for 24 hours for
measurement of the pH level. This test is used a lot of times after a surgery to make sure there isn't any acid reflux in an achalasia
patient.
Upper GI Series
The upper GI series uses x-rays to view the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). These three
organs make up the upper gastrointestinal (GI) portion of the digestive system. All are important in diagnosing GERD, and other
digestive diseases.
organs make up the upper gastrointestinal (GI) portion of the digestive system. All are important in diagnosing GERD, and other
digestive diseases.
Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation refers to a method of anesthesia that may be used during certain tests for GERD, achalasia, and other digestive
diseases. After the administration of conscious sedation, the patient is awake but in an altered state of consciousness. In this state, the
patient can usually speak and respond to cues by the medical team, but is relaxed and feels little or no pain. Some people actually fall
asleep during this.
diseases. After the administration of conscious sedation, the patient is awake but in an altered state of consciousness. In this state, the
patient can usually speak and respond to cues by the medical team, but is relaxed and feels little or no pain. Some people actually fall
asleep during this.