Achalasia secondary to nongastrointestinal malignancies

Secondary or pseudo achalasia of the esophagus can mimic idiopathic achalasia radiographically and can be difficult to diagnose. Typically, it is due to invasive carcinoma involving the gastroesophageal junction, usually gastric adenocarcinoma. Occasionally, an achalasialike condition can be produced by tumors not involving the gastroesophageal junction. We report 2 cases, 1 of lung carcinoma and the other of hepatoma, in which the patients had radiographic and endoscopic changes compatible with achalasia. However, the onset of symptoms was abrupt and the patients were elderly; these are unusual features for primary achalasia. There have been several other reports of nongastrointestinal neoplasms producing a clinical and radiographic picture similar to achalasia. Although there are several theories as to the cause, our cases would support the concept that direct tumor involvement of the gastroesophageal junction is not necessary to produce significant esophageal dysmotility.     

Radiographic and manometric correlation in achalasia with apparent relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter

We compared the clinical, radiographic, and manometric findings in 10 patients with atypical achalasia showing complete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation to 39 patients with classic achalasia (i.e., incomplete LES relaxation). Those with atypical achalasia were younger (46.1 vs 60.6 years), had dysphagia of shorter duration (18.7 vs 45.7 mos), had lost less weight (8.2 vs 21.5 lbs), and had less esophageal dilatation (2.8 vs 3.9 cm). However, the mean LES pressures (34.5 vs 37.7 mmHg) and the esophagogastric junction calibers (4.5 vs 4.8 mm) were similar. Radionuclide esophageal emptying studies were done in 15 patients (6 with atypical achalasia; 9 with classic achalasia) and were abnormal in all. Most patients in both groups (90 and 92%) responded well to pneumatic dilatation. We conclude that achalasia with apparent LES relaxation may represent an early form of this motor disorder and that the radiographic findings remain characteristic except for less dilatation of the esophagus.     

Simultaneous detection of esophageal and gastric carcinomas

The case histories of six patients are presented where the diagnosis of carcinoma of the esophagus and the stomach was made at the same time by barium studies. The clinical history was elusive in two patients. In four of the six patients, histological proof of squamous carcinoma of the esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the stomach was obtained, but in the other two biopsy of the gastric lesion was not possible because of the extensive esophageal cancer.     

Retrograde mucosal prolapse following a Heller's correction for achalasia of the esophageal cardia

Retrograde gastric mucosal prolapse into the esophageal vestibule producing incomplete obstruction, following a Heller's procedure for achalasia of the esophagus, is reported.     

贲门失弛缓症的动力研究和胃镜直视下气囊扩张治疗

目的 :研究贲门失弛缓症患者扩张治疗前后食管动力学特征及气囊扩张治疗贲门失弛缓症的可行性。方法 :35例患者 ,均在非透视胃镜直视引导下行扩张治疗。其中 17例扩张治疗前、治疗后 3d以内、治疗后 3月、10例治疗后 1年行食管测压 ,观察下食管括约肌压力 (LESP)、松弛率 (LESR)及食管体部蠕动收缩的压力波幅和时限。结果 :35例患者扩张治疗全部有效。扩张后从症状积分看出 ,扩张后患者的临床症状明显改善 ,且持续一年 (P <0 .0 0 1)。扩张治疗后LESP ,LESR明显改善 ,以LESP下降尤为明显。结论 :气囊扩张法治疗贲门失弛缓症的近远期疗效均好 ,气囊扩张治疗疗效肯定 ,应予推荐。     

Radiographic evaluation of achalasia immediately after pneumatic dilatation with the Rigiflex dilator

Radiographic evaluation of the lower esophagus was done immediately after pneumatic dilatation using the Rigiflex dilator in 34 patients (24 men, 10 women; mean age, 55 years) with achalasia. The dilator was positioned across the esophagogastic junction using fluoroscopy and the balloon was inflated for 1 min. The esophagus was intubated and injected sequentially with water-soluble and barium contrast materials. Radiographic analysis included changes in the appearance of the caliber and contour of the esophagogastric junction, rate of esophageal emptying, and presence of complications. In 23 patients with predilatation esophagrams, the mean esophagogastric junction caliber increased from 4.7–7.6 mm following dilatation. The postdilatation esophagrams in 33 patients showed a smooth contour in 22 (67%) and immediate esophageal emptying in 26 (79%). Esophageal perforation occurred in one (3%) patient and intramural hematoma in one (3%). Clinical follow-up (mean, 7 months) was available in 29 patients and 23 (79%) had symptomatic improvement. Five of the six patients who did not improve clinically all had previous Heller myotomy, pneumatic dilatation, or both.     

Diagnostic modalities for achalasia

Diagnostic evaluation for achalasia in patients with dysphagia begins with barium esophagography to evaluate for an anatomic lesion of the esophagus or the gastric fundus. Most of the patients with achalasia can be detected with an initial radiologic approach. Esophageal manometry, however, remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of achalasia and is important for patients for whom a correct diagnosis is uncertain or essential. The article reviews these and other diagnostic tests that may be used in evaluating patients suspected of having achalasia.     

Granular cell tumors of the esophagus

Three cases of granular cell tumor of the esophagus are added to the 17 previously reported in the literature. These tumors, thought to be of neural origin, are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The diagnosis should be considered in adult females presenting with an intramural mass of the proximal or distal third of the esophagus. Symptoms of dysphagia and substernal discomfort are likely to occur with lesions greater than one centimeter in diameter. Preoperative biopsy is not advised as a mistaken diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma can result.     

Radiation therapy of esophageal carcinoma: Correlation of clinical and radiographic findings

Seventeen patients with esophageal carcinoma treated by radiation therapy (RT) at our hospital between 1981 and 1984 had initial diagnostic esophagrams and 1 or more repeat esophagrams after completing RT. Total regression of the tumor was observed radiographically in 10 patients (59%) with a normal esophagus (24%) or benign-appearing residual stricture (35%) at the site of the previous lesion. Partial regression was observed in 4 patients, and progression of the tumor in 3. No correlation was found between the size, stage, or morphology of the lesion and its response to therapy. Although local recurrences were relatively uncommon, patient survival was often limited by the development of distant metastases. Fourteen of 15 patients with clinical followup initially had significant relief from dysphagia as the tumor regressed. However, 9 of those patients had recurrent or increased dysphagia over a subsequent 3–9-month period. Exacerbation of symptoms did not necessarily indicate recurrent carcinoma; it also resulted from benign radiation strictures, opportunistic esophagitis, or other complications of RT detected on esophagography.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Two patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and infectious esophagitis developed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic presentations in both cases were atypical. One patient developed a focal flat lesion that imitated segmental esophagitis, and the other patient developed a superficially spreading carcinoma that mimicked diffuse esophagitis. In the setting of AIDS, a changing radiographic or endoscopic mucosal pattern requires biopsy to exclude the possibility of a superimposed squamous cell carcinoma.     

Synchronous and metachronous squamous cell carcinomas of the head,neck and esophagus

Thirty-four (1%) of 3,287 patients with squamous carcinoma of the head-neck developed carcinoma of the esophagus. The clinical and radiological importance of this relationship is emphasized. Since there is an increased incidence of esophageal carcinoma in this group, perhaps all such patients should have an annual esophagogram.     

Secondary neoplasms of the esophagus

A review of 62 cases of esophageal involvement by secondary neoplasms is reported. The common routes of esophageal involvement are by direct extension of the tumor from the contiguous or adjacent organs (45.2%), via mediastinal nodes (35.5%), and hematogenous spread from a distant primary (19.3%). In the first 2 modes of esophageal involvement, the diagnosis is usually obvious but hematogenous metastases to the esophagus usually pose a diagnostic challenge. Radiologically, hematogenous metastases show a spectrum of features consisting of a short segment of progressive stricture with normal to minimally irregular mucosa, a submucosal mass with or without ulceration, a polypoid mass or masses, and defects in esophageal motility including secondary achalasia. Since endoscopy and biopsy have limited diagnostic yield, radiologic diagnosis plays a key role in the diagnosis of secondary neoplasms of the esophagus irrespective of their mode of spread to the esophagus.     

Strategies for treating severe refractory dysphagia

Traditional treatment of achalasia, pneumatic dilatation or surgical myotomy, results in satisfactory relief of dysphagia in 85% to 90% of patients. Unfortunately, a small percentage of patients do not respond to these therapies or remain refractory, often because of a severely dilated or sigmoid esophagus. Esophagectomy, with gastric pull up or color interposition, is the procedure of choice in these patients, which can result in satisfactory relief of dysphagia with minimal mortality. This article reviews the strategies for management of achalasia patients with refractory dysphagia.     

Anatomy and physiology of the esophagus

Modern diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disease is a result of progress in assessing the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus, as well as refinements in anesthetic and surgical techniques. Esophageal carcinoma spreads rapidly and metastasizes easily. The tendency for early spread and the absence of symptoms result in late diagnosis that reduces treatment options and cure rates. Lifestyle (i.e., use of alcohol and tobacco), nutritional deficiencies, ingestion of nitrosamines, and mutagen-inducing fungi are blamed for cancer of the esophagus. Other pathologic conditions (e.g., achalasia, Barrett's epithelium, gastric reflux, hiatal hernia) are potential contributors to the development of carcinoma. Nurses are in key positions to identify the existence of factors contributing to premalignant or malignant lesions and to educate patients and make the appropriate referrals.     

Sonographic findings in achalasia

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the sonographic features of achalasia. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with achalasia (17 men and 18 women; mean age, 43 years) were examined with transabdominal sonography, and the findings were compared with those in 41 volunteers without esophageal disease (21 men and 20 women; mean age, 41 years), 10 patients with gastroesophageal junction carcinoma (7 men and 3 women; mean age, 55 years), and 4 patients with peptic stricture (3 men and 1 woman; mean age, 39 years). The distal end of the esophagus was evaluated, and the thickness of the esophageal wall was measured. RESULTS: In 28 fasting patients (80%) with achalasia, sonography showed dilatation, retention of fluid, and smooth narrowing of the distal esophagus (like a bird's beak). These findings were not identified in the other patients or volunteers. In addition, in 6 of 7 achalasia patients who had no sign of esophageal dilatation in the fasting state, water retention was demonstrated after ingestion of water, bringing the total number of patients with achalasia with positive sonographic findings to 34 (97%). In patients with achalasia, the mean thickness (+/- standard deviation) of the esophageal wall at the gastroesophageal junction was 4.8 +/- 0.9 mm (range, 3.6-7.2 mm). The thickening was regular, symmetric, and localized to the gastroesophageal junction. In the volunteers, the mean thickness of the esophageal wall was 2.3 +/- 0.5 mm (range, 1.4-3.5 mm). The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In the patients with carcinoma, the mean wall thickness was 17.0 /+ 1.1 mm, and the thickening was irregular. In the patients with peptic stricture, the mean wall thickness was 5.1 +/- 1.1 mm (range, 3.8-8.3 mm), and the thickening was irregular and occupied a longer segment of the distal esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with achalasia, transabdominal sonography clearly shows the regular thickening of the esophageal wall, water retention, dilatation of the distal esophagus, and the bird's beak appearance. Sonography may help in differentiating achalasia from carcinoma and peptic stricture of the gastroesophageal junction, which is difficult to do with other modalities.     

食管癌患者胃黏膜病变与术后胃排空延迟的相关性研究

目的观察食管癌患者的胃黏膜病变与术后胃排空延迟的相关性。方法对987例经手术治疗的食管癌患者中,术后出现严重胃排空延迟的26例患者的术前、术中、术后进行观察、治疗及护理,分析食管癌患者胃黏膜病变与术后出现的严重胃排空障碍之间的相关性。结果发现术后出现胃排空障碍的食管癌患者术前和术后均存在较严重的胃黏膜病变。结论术后出现的严重胃排空障碍与患者术前即已经存在的和术后的胃黏膜病变密切相关,通过重视对胃黏膜疾病的术前、术后治疗及护理,对术后胃排空延迟的恢复大有益处。     

Radiology of colonic interposition and its associated complications

A retrospective review of the medical records, pathology reports, and radiographic studies of 81 patients who had undergone colonic interposition was undertaken, with special attention to postoperative complications. Both early (within 30 days postoperatively, 81 patients) and late (later than 30 days postoperatively, 57 patients) complications were reviewed. Early findings included anastomotic narrowing (18 patients), anastomotic leak (13), aspiration (11), and ischemic necrosis of the colon (3). Late findings included aspiration (9 patients), anastomotic strictures (8), gastric stasis (6), redundancy and tortuosity of the colon (5), anastomotic ulcers (4), gastrocolic reflux (3), and gastroesophageal reflux into the residual esophagus (2).     

42例食管小细胞癌的外科治疗

目的总结食管原发性小细胞癌的外科治疗经验。方法报告和分析1982～1997年42例食管小细胞癌外科治疗的临床资料。结果全组手术切除率为100％,手术病死率为4．8％,术后1、3年生存率分别为52．5％和22．5％。结论手术仍是治疗食管小细胞癌的主要方法。手术方式应采用全食等切除,食管胃颈部吻合,以求根治。早期诊断和综合治疗有助于改善本病的预后。     

Radiographic microstructures of early esophageal carcinoma: Correlation of specimen radiography with pathologic findings and clinical radiography

To clarify the exact radiologic features of mucosal carcinoma of the esophagus with a favorable prognosis, contact radiography was performed on 8 surgical specimens diagnosed preoperatively as showing early or superficial carcinoma. Mucosal carcinoma appeared as a well-defined smooth or nodular protrusion or as a feathered flat mucosa with tiny nodulations and barium poolings. Submucosal carcinoma showed a mound-like defect. The size of tumor was not a good index for estimating the depth of invasion. Protruded lesions were easily demonstrated on clinical radiographs and their profile was useful in determining the depth of invasion. Flat lesions were not easy to recognize; attention must therefore be paid not only to mucosal patterns but also to the contour of the esophageal wall.     

Radiologic manifestations of iatrogenic changes of the esophagus

The review of the roentgen manifestations of iatrogenic changes in the esophagus permits their grouping into two major categories of intentional and nonintentional alterations. In the first group, iatrogenic changes are encountered following reconstructive or other types of surgery, radiotherapy, and their respective complications. Nonintentional changes of the esophagus include injuries induced during diagnostic procedures, life-saving measures, and drug therapy. The knowledge of the spectra of possible iatrogenic alterations is important for accurate radiologic evaluation of the patients and the recognition of complications.