Esophageal motility disorders with thoracic pain of unknown origin

35 patients with angina-like chest pain underwent esophageal manometry after a coronary artery disease had been ruled out by angiography. Furthermore, patients after gastric or esophageal surgery, with pathologic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or with pathologic gastroesophageal reflux as seen on 24-hour-pH-metry were excluded from this study. 29 out of 35 patients (83%) had a normal manometric study, six patients (17%) had a motility disorder; five of these showed an unspecific dismotility pattern and were asymptomatic while the study was done; only one patient presented with esophageal spasm. Since only this latter patient was symptomatic while the study was done, a correlation between symptoms and this motility disorder seems likely. --If pathologic gastroesophageal reflux has been ruled out, esophageal manometry can establish a diagnosis in only 3% of patients with angina-like chest pain without esophageal symptoms (dysphagia, odynophagia, heartburn or regurgitation). We conclude that this complicated examination should not be done in these patients.