digestive disorders
Achalasia
Diagnosis of Achalasia
Manometry Barium swallow x-rays Doctors usually insert a small tube into the esophagus to take pressure measurements of the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter (esophageal Manometry ). Often, doctors examine the esophagus through a flexible viewing tube ( X-rays of the esophagus taken while the person is swallowing barium (a X-Ray Studies of the Digestive Tract ) show the normal rhythmic contractions of the esophagus are missing. The esophagus is widened, usually only moderately but occasionally to enormous proportions, but is narrow at the lower esophageal sphincter. Impedance Testing is a newer type of esophageal test. In this test, a balloon filled with salt water (saline solution) is used to measure the area across the inside of the esophagus and the pressure inside of the esophagus at the same time. These measurements help doctors further evaluate people who are having trouble swallowing. Some disorders, such as cancer at the gastroesophageal junction, can cause symptoms similar to achalasia (called pseudoachalasia), so doctors may do additional tests to rule them out. Cancer at the gastroesophageal junction can be diagnosed by esophagoscopy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Digestive Tract (CT) of the chest and abdomen, or by endoscopic 