贲门失弛缓症患者食管压力及运动功能变化的研究

目的研究贲门失弛缓症（achalasia cardia）患者食管下段括约肌（LES）压力及食道体部运动功能的变化。方法采用荷兰MMS多功能消化道测压仪，分别对48例贲门失弛缓症患者与30位正常人测量并记录LES长度、LES静息压力，10次湿咽动作中食道体部收缩及LES松弛功能变化，对LES、食管上括约肌（UES）松弛率和推进性蠕动进行评价。结果贲门失弛缓症患者与对照组相比，LES静息压力明显升高（P＜0．05），LES松弛率明显降低（P＜0．05）；贲门失弛缓症均为无传导性同步蠕动波；病例组与对照组食管体部蠕动波、LES长度、UES的各项指标比较差异均无统计学意义。结论LES压力升高、LES松弛率降低和食管体部运动功能失调是贲门失弛缓症患者的重要特征，对贲门失弛缓症的诊断有指导意义。     

食管测压在评估气囊扩张术治疗贲门失弛缓症疗效中的作用

背景：贲门失弛缓症是原发性食管运动功能障碍性疾病，气囊扩张术是目前治疗本病的主要方法之一。目的：探讨食管压力测定在评估气囊扩张术治疗贲门失弛缓症疗效中的作用。方法：予21例贲门失弛缓症患者内镜下气囊扩张术，治疗前后行食管压力检测，分析食管下括约肌（LES）和食管体部各参数的变化。结果：扩张后，21例患者的吞咽困难和反流症状消失。与扩张前相比，扩张后LES长度无显著差异，LES静息压和LES残余压显著降低（P〈0．01），LES松弛率显著升高（P〈0．05）。扩张后食管体部同步收缩波和吞咽蠕动波消失的发生率较扩张前无显著差异，继发性收缩波和食管体部静息压高于胃内静息压的发生率较扩张前显著降低（P〈0．01）。结论：气囊扩张术能显著提高LES松弛率，降低LES静息压、LES残余压、食管体部静息压和继发性蠕动波的发生率，迅速缓解患者症状。食管压力测定对评估气囊扩张术治疗贲门失弛缓症的疗效具有重要意义。     

贲门失驰缓症及滑动型食管裂孔疝患者食管多通道阻抗-压力测定分析

目的应用食管联合多通道阻抗-压力测定(MII-EM)技术研究贲门失驰缓症及滑动型食管裂孔疝患者的食管动力异常特点。 方法连续选取2013年4月至2014年6月到首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院就诊,入组内镜或食管造影诊断的贲门失驰缓症患者6名、滑动型食管裂孔疝患者10名以及健康志愿者10名行MII-EM检查,分析比较二个患病组与对照组间各检测指标差异。 结果与对照组相比,二个患病组的食团传送率均显著降低。贲门失驰缓症患者LES残余压显著升高,同步收缩及逆行收缩率明显增加,LES松弛率显著降低,食管中上段收缩压力也减低(P<0.05),但未发现其在LES静息压、LES长度、及UES各功能指标上的差异。滑动型食管裂孔疝患者LES静息压较对照组显著降低,UES舒张时间延长,食管近端收缩压力减低(P<0.05),但未发现食管中、下段收缩功能的异常。 结论MII-EM技术能够评估贲门失驰缓症及滑动型食管裂孔疝的食管功能障碍,具有一定的辅助诊断价值。     

暂时性金属支架扩张术治疗贲门失弛缓症对食管动力中远期的影响

目的:探讨暂时性金属支架治疗贲门失弛缓症对食管动力中远期的影响.方法:19例贲门失弛缓症患者在X线下置入国产可扩张带膜金属支架,术后3-7d由胃镜取出.治疗前、后2wk及2a测定LES静息压、松弛率、食管内24h pH监测,12例健康人测定下食管括约肌(LES)静息压、松弛率.结果:扩张后2wk和2a LES静息压显著低于扩张前LES静息压(12.32±5.87 mmHg,14.21±7.34 mmHg vs 47.43±9.84 mmHg,P<0.05),松弛率显著高于扩张前松弛率压(76.66%,73.46% vs 13.33%,P<0.05),但他们均与正常人无显著差异.扩张后2a GER阳性率显著高.于扩张后2wk及扩张前(66.12% vs 27.72%,2.95%;P<0.01).结论:中远期暂时性金属支架扩张术仍能显著降低贲门失弛缓症患者的LES压力.但GER也显著增加.     

食管压力测定在贲门失弛缓症诊治中的应用及评价

目的 研究贲门失弛缓症患者全覆膜防反流食管支架治疗前后食管压力变化.方法 对30例贲门失弛缓症患者经全覆膜防反流食管支架治疗前后食管压力测定数据进行分析.结果 贲门失弛缓症患者食管下括约肌静息压(LESP)较扩张前显著下降(P<0.05),食管下括约肌松弛率(LESRR)明显提高(P<0.05);支架治疗后食管体部同步收缩峰值增高,食管体部静息压降低(P<0.05),扩张后食管体部同步收缩波与扩张前比较无显著变化.结论 食管压力测定可用于评价全覆膜防反流食管支架治疗贲门失弛缓症的疗效.     

贲门失弛缓症食管动力学特征的测定

目的为探讨动力学监测在诊断贲门失弛缓症中的价值.方法本研究对15例贲门失弛缓症患者(Achalasia,AC)及10例正常人(HS)进行连续食管压力监测.结果AC组与HS组相比,下食管括约肌(LES)压力(mmHg)分别为41.3±16.5和18.2±10.1,AC组明显增高(P<0.01);LES长度(cm)相似,分别为3.4±0.50和2.9±0.25;LES松弛率(%)明显减低,分别为44.8±3.9和92.1±3.6(P<0.001);食管体部中、下段AC组均为同步非推进性蠕动,收缩幅度降低(P<0.01),收缩时限明显延长(P<0.01).结论食管测压是一种诊断贲门失弛缓症有用的方法.     

经口内镜下肌切开术治疗贲门失弛缓症前后食管动力的变化

贲门失弛缓症的治疗目的为降低下食管括约肌压力(LESP),减轻梗阻,改善临床症状。经口内镜下肌切开术(POEM)近年来开始用于贲门失弛缓症的治疗。目的:通过分析手术前后食管动力的变化,评估POEM治疗贲门失弛缓症的近期疗效。方法:纳入2011年12月~2012年10月在南京鼓楼医院诊断为贲门失弛缓症并接受POEM治疗的39例患者,对其手术前后食管液态测压和近期随访结果进行回顾性分析。结果:38例患者完成POEM和术后3 d食管测压。术后3 d LESP较术前显著降低(P0.01),LES松弛率与术前相比无明显差异。术前和术后3 d食管体部均表现为蠕动性收缩消失,同步收缩比例增加。术后1个月随访,LESP仍显著低于术前(P0.05),37例患者吞咽困难明显好转,有效率为94.9%。结论:POEM治疗贲门失弛缓症近期内降低LESP和缓解临床症状效果明显,但对恢复食管蠕动功能作用有限。食管测压对贲门失弛缓症术后疗效评估有一定价值。     

贲门失弛缓症动物模型的建立及其机制探讨

背景:贲门失弛缓症是一种常见的食管动力障碍性疾病,其病因不清,目前尚缺乏有效根治措施。目的:建立猫贲门失弛缓症动物模型并探讨其发生机制,为贲门失弛缓症的根治提供依据。方法:胃镜下将苄基-二甲基-十四烷基氯化铵(BAC)注射至猫食管下括约肌(LES)周围,对照组注射生理盐水,观察动物进食和体重的变化。第8周时行食管钡餐检查,计算食管钡剂潴留率;测定LES静息压力(LESBP)、松弛率和松弛度;观察不同药物对体内LESBP和体外LES肌环张力的影响以及肌环对电场刺激的反应。采用免疫组化染色分析一氧化氮合酶(NOS)阳性神经元在LES肌环中的分布。结果:第8周时,BAC处理组进食减少,体重显著减轻(-P<0.05),食管钡剂潴留率显著高于对照组(P<0.01),LESBP显著增高(P<0.05),LES松弛率和松弛度显著减低(P<0.05),L-精氨酸对LESBP无影响,但硝普钠可使LESBP显著降低(P<0.05);对照组LESBP无明显变化,L-精氨酸和硝普钠均可使LESBP显著降低(P<0.05)。两组体外LES肌环由乙酰胆碱和硝普钠引起的收缩和舒张反应无明显差别,L-精氨酸可使对照组肌环松弛,但不能使BAC处理组肌环松弛,电场刺激不能引起BAC处理组肌环松弛,但能引起收缩。免疫组化染色提示BAC处理组LES肌环肌间神经丛NOS阳性神经元缺失。结论:通过LES注射BAC成功建立了     

贲门失弛缓症

贲门失弛缓症是一种病因尚未明确、累及食管平滑肌和下食管括约肌（LES）的动力障碍性疾病。以吞咽时食管体部蠕动消失、LES松弛障碍为特征,临床表现为吞咽困难和胸痛等。本病可根据临床表现结合内镜、食管钡餐造影和食管动力学检查等确诊。本文就贲门失弛缓症的流行病学现状、发病机制、临床表现和诊断相关研究进展作一概述。     

贲门失弛缓症的治疗

贲门失弛缓症是一种病因尚未明确、累及食管平滑肌和下食管括约肌（LES）的动力障碍性疾病。以吞咽时食管体部蠕动消失、LES松弛障碍为特征。本病的治疗方式包括药物、注射肉毒杆菌毒素、气囊扩张术和肌切开术,旨在降低LES压力,促进食管排空,多数患者可获得较理想的结局。本文就贲门失弛缓症的治疗现状作一综述。     

Clinical and manometric findings on elderly patients with achalasia

Introduction: Data regarding the age impact on the clinical presentation and esophageal motility in adults with idiopathic achalasia are scarce. Objective: To asses the clinical and manometric features of elderly patients with idiopathic achalasia. Methods: The medical charts of 159 patients diagnosed with achalasia were divided into two groups according to the patients' age: ?60 years (n = 123) and >60 years (n = 36). Clinical and manometric findings [esophageal body aperistalsis, basal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and abnormal LES relaxation] of both groups were compared upon diagnosis. Patients with previous esophageal interventions were excluded. Results: Only chest pain was more common in the ?60 year-old group (51.2% vs. 22.2%, p <0.003). This difference remained when comparing the group of men ?60 years. Other presenting features (including sex, weight loss, and presence of dysphagia, regurgitation and heartburn) did not differ between the groups. The LES relaxation was incomplete in 70.4% of the cases. No differences on the basal LES pressure, residual LES pressure or the amplitude of the esophageal body contractions between both groups were found. Considering only the classic achalasia cases, symptomatic time before diagnosis was greater in ?60 years compared with older patients: 24 vs. 12 months (p <0.05), respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that chest pain is more common in younger male achalasia patients and residual LES pressure decreases with age.     

Manometric heterogeneity in patients with idiopathic achalasia

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In certain cases of achalasia, particularly those in early stages with minimal endoscopic or radiographic abnormalities, the diagnosis may rely on manometry, which is the most sensitive test for the disease. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the manometric criteria in a population of patients with idiopathic achalasia. METHODS: Clinical histories and manometric recordings of 58 patients with idiopathic achalasia and 43 control subjects were analyzed with regard to esophageal body contraction amplitude, peristaltic effectiveness in terms of both completeness and propagation velocity, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure, LES relaxation pressure, and intraesophageal-intragastric pressure gradient. Variants of achalasia were defined by finding manometric features that significantly differed from the remainder of achalasia patients, such that the diagnosis might be questioned. RESULTS: Four manometrically distinct variants were identified. These variants were characterized by (1) the presence of high amplitude esophageal body contractions, (2) a short segment of esophageal body aperistalsis, (3) retained complete deglutitive LES relaxation, and (4) intact transient LES relaxation. In each instance, the most extreme variant is discussed and compared with the remainder of the achalasia population and with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The significance in defining these variants of achalasia lies in the recognition that these sometimes confusing manometric findings are consistent with achalasia when combined with additional clinical data supportive of the diagnosis. Furthermore, such variants provide important clues into the pathophysiology of this rare disorder.     

Is aperistalsis with complete lower esophageal sphincter relaxation an early stage of classic achalasia?

BACKGROUND: Aperistalsis with complete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, characterized by the complete relaxation of the LES and aperistalsis of the esophageal body on manometry, has been considered by some authors to be an early manifestation of classic achalasia, which is defined as incomplete relaxation of the LES and aperistalsis of the esophageal body. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical features of patients with aperistalsis with complete LES relaxation, with those of patients with classic achalasia. METHODS: Eighteen patients with aperistalsis with complete LES relaxation and 53 patients with classic achalasia were analyzed with regard to clinical history, the maximal diameter of the esophageal body on barium esophagogram, LES resting pressure and the duration of LES relaxation on manometric recordings, and the selected treatment and its efficacy. RESULTS: The aperistalsis with complete LES relaxation group had distinctly different features compared to those of the classic achalasia group including older age, more frequent association with non-cardiac chest pain, less frequent association with dysphagia and weight loss, lower LES resting pressures, and longer duration of LES relaxation. However, the two groups were similar in terms of maximal diameter of the esophageal body, and efficacy associated with pneumatic dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Aperistalsis with complete LES relaxation on manometry is not necessarily an early manifestation of classic achalasia. However, this condition does not preclude a diagnosis of achalasia or a good response to achalasia therapy.     

Manometry and impedance characteristics of achalasia. Facts and myths

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is defined manometrically by an aperistaltic esophagus. Variations in the manometric findings occur in achalasia suggesting that all manometric features should not be required to diagnose achalasia. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry (MII-EM) allows both a functional and a manometric evaluation of esophageal motility and identifies chronic fluid retention. AIM: To compare manometric and MII characteristics in patients with achalasia. METHODS: Retrospective review of 73 MII-EM tracings from patients with achalasia done in our laboratory between October 2001 and December 2004 (38 females; mean age=53.5 y). Patients with previous esophageal interventions were excluded. Manometric and MII characteristics were identified and compared during 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows. Patients were also divided into 2 groups: vigorous achalasia (VA) and achalasia. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the seventy-one (31%) achalasia patients had a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) for the 71 patients with achalasia was 37.9+/-21.2 mm Hg compared with 27.3+/-9.3 mm Hg (P<0.05) in the 73 patients with normal motility. The mean LESP in patients with achalasia was 36+/-20.3 mm Hg compared with 47+/-23.2 mm Hg (P<0.05) in patients with VA. Elevated intraesophageal pressure (IEP) was noted in 45/73 (61.6%). The mean LESP in this group was 41.1+/-22.9 mm Hg compared with 32.5+/-17 mm Hg (P<0.05) with normal IEP. The mean baseline impedance for achalasia was 801+/-732 compared with 1265.2+/-829.5 Omega (P<0.05) for the VA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with achalasia have elevated IEP, elevated LES residual pressure, normal LES pressure, and low baseline impedance. All manometric features should not be required to diagnose achalasia. Patients with an elevated IEP are likely to have an elevated LES pressure and LES residual pressure. Low MII values identify chronic fluid retention and helps confirm the diagnosis.     

Return of esophageal peristalsis in idiopathic achalasia.

A 47-year-old male was diagnosed as having idiopathic achalasia on the basis of clinical, roentgenographic, and manometric criteria. He was on no medication and had no disorders known to impair esophageal motility. He was treated by pneumatic dilation with a good clinical response. On reexamination 7 years later, several features considered to be typical of achalasia were no longer present. Changes included return of peristaltic activity throughout most of the body of the esophagus, failure of a direct-acting cholinergic agent to produce an increase in base line intraesophageal pressure, and failure of a direct-acting cholinergic agent to produce a heightened response at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Incomplete LES relaxation in response to swallowing persisted. This represents the first reported case of return of esophageal peristalsis in idiopathic achalasia.     

Integrity of cholinergic innervation to the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia

The human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is believed to be innervated by nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory nerves, and cholinergic excitatory nerves. In idiopathic achalasia, LES relaxation is abnormal because the inhibitory nerves to the sphincter are either absent or functionally impaired. The integrity of cholinergic excitatory nerves to the LES, however, has not been thoroughly evaluated. In 27 patients with untreated idiopathic achalasia, and 21 healthy volunteers, we investigated the hypothesis that postganglionic cholinergic nerves to the LES are functionally intact in achalasia. The LES responses to atropine, edrophonium, methacholine, amyl nitrite, and pentagastrin were assessed. In 2 achalasia patients, patterns of fasting motor activity in the LES were investigated during overnight manometric studies. Resting LES pressure was significantly greater in the achalasia patients, 41 +/- 4 mmHg (mean +/- SE), than in the normal subjects, 20 +/- 2 mmHg. Atropine significantly reduced LES pressure in both groups by 30%-75%. Edrophonium increased LES pressure in the achalasia patients but had negligible effect on the normal subjects. The LES in achalasia patients exhibited an increased sensitivity to both methacholine and pentagastrin compared with the normal subjects. In both patients who underwent an overnight manometric study, the LES exhibited cyclic phasic contractile activity synchronous with gastric contractions during the migrating motor complex. We conclude that the study findings support the hypothesis that postganglionic cholinergic LES innervation in achalasia patients is either normal or only minimally impaired, in contrast to the marked impairment of the inhibitory nerves governing LES relaxation.     

Esophageal manometry: a comparison of findings in younger and older patients

Objective: We sought to determine the utility of esophageal manometry in an older patient population.
Methods: Consecutively performed manometry studies (470) were reviewed and two groups were chosen for the study, those ≥ 75 yr of age (66 patients) and those ≤ 50 years (122 patients). Symptoms, manometric findings (lower esophageal sphincter [LES], esophageal body, upper esophageal sphincter [UES]) and diagnoses were compared between the groups.
Results: Dysphagia was more common (60.6% vs 25.4%), and chest pain was less common (17.9 vs 26.2%) in older patients. In the entire group, there were no differences in LES parameters. Older patients with achalasia had lower LES residual pressures after deglutition (2.7 vs 12.0 mm Hg), but had similar resting pressures (31.4 vs 35.2 mm Hg) compared with younger achalasia patients. Duration and amplitude of peristalsis were similar in both groups, whereas peristaltic sequences were more likely to be simultaneous in the older group (15% vs 4%). The UES had a lower resting pressure in the older patients (49.6 vs 77.6 mm Hg) and a higher residual pressure (2.0 vs −2.7 mm Hg). The older patients were less likely to have normal motility (30.3% vs 44.3%) and were more likely to have achalasia (15.2% vs 4.1%) or diffuse esophageal spasm (16.6% vs 5.0%). When only patients with dysphagia were analyzed, achalasia was still more likely in the older group (20.0% vs 12.9%).
Conclusions: When older patients present with dysphagia, esophageal manometry frequently yields a diagnosis to help explain their symptoms.     

Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation characteristics using a sleeve sensor in clinical manometry

Objective: We undertook this study to determine the characteristics of swallow-induced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in the setting of clinical manometry using a standardized methodology.
Methods: We reviewed 170 manometric recordings performed using a perfused manometric assembly with a sleeve sensor and a computer polygraph. Patients were categorized as patient controls, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), or achalasia. Tracing were semiautomatically analyzed for basal LES pressure, LES pressure during deglutitive relaxation (relaxation LES pressure), duration of LES relaxation, timing of LES relaxation, and the success rate of primary peristalsis.
Results: Forty-six patient controls, 93 with GERD, five with DES, and 26 with achalasia were identified. GERD and achalasia patients had lower or higher basal LES pressures than patient controls, respectively. Compared with patient controls, achalasia patients had higher relaxation LES pressures, lower percent LES relaxation, and shorter durations of LES relaxation. The best single measure for distinguishing achalasia was the relaxation LES pressure; using the 95th percentile value of patient controls (12 mm Hg) as the upper limit of normal, its sensitivity and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of achalasia were 92% and 88%, respectively. Coupled with the finding of aperistalsis, a relaxation LES pressure ≥10 mm Hg achieved 100% sensitivity and positive predictive value among these patients.
Conclusion: Sleeve sensor recording is a practical method for clinical manometry that reliably records LES relaxation characteristics and is amenable to both a standardized manometry protocol and a semiautomated analysis routine. Relaxation LES pressure has a high diagnostic value for achalasia.