esophageal dysmotility

Introduction

Disorders of esophageal motility.

Clinical manifestations

• dysphagia for both solid & liquid foods suggests motility disorder
• pulmonary aspiration
• chest pain

Diagnostic procedures

• esophageal mannometry
• reproduction of symptoms by balloon distension suggest functional esophageal dysmotility

Management

• see specific disorder
• metoclopramide for reduced esophageal peristalsis
  • long-term therapy can cause tardive dyskinesia, limit therapy to 12 weeks
• tricyclic antidepressants may alleviate symptoms of functional dysmotility disorder

More general terms

• esophageal disease
• gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility

More specific terms

• achalasia (cardiospasm)
• esophageal spasm
• presbyesophagus