BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophagogastric junctional lesions, such as mucosal breaks with Los Angeles grade A or B reflux esophagitis, lacerations in Mallory Weiss syndrome, and short segment Barrett's esophagus, are mainly found in the right anterior wall of the distal esophagus. Asymmetrical lower esophageal sphincter pressure and resting radial asymmetrical acid reflux may be causes of this asymmetrical distribution of reflux esophagitis and short segment Barrett's esophagus. We developed a novel pH and pressure catheter to investigate the asymmetrical distributions of pH and intra-esophageal pressure in the distal esophagus. METHODS: One healthy male volunteer was enrolled in this study. Acid reflux and motor function in distal esophagus was investigated using simultaneous measurements of intra-esophageal pH and pressure in 8 directions with novel sensor catheter. RESULTS: Thirty-six acid and weak acid reflux events were observed, of which 22 were circumferential refluxes with pH drops in all channels and 14 were partial refluxes with pH drops in some channels. Increase in transient circumferential intraesophageal pressure was observed just after 72.7% of the circumferential reflux and 42.9% of the partial reflux events. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel sensor catheter, 2 different types of acid reflux events were identified in the present study.
Barrett Esophagus ; Catheters ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Esophagus ; Feasibility Studies ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lacerations ; Los Angeles ; Male ; Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Replacement of the esophagus remains a challenge for surgeons involved in esophageal disease. From 1996 to 1999, a total of 27 patients with esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal transfer(12cases) or esophagogastrostomy(15cases). To determine the results such as leakage of anastomosis site, stenosis, reflux esophagitis and operation time, respiratory complications, etc. we reviewed the 4 years experiences. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Palliative bypass surgery or esophageal prosthesis and cancers of the pharyngoesophageal or esophagogastric junction were excluded in this study. Resection was usually peformed through right thoracotomy and anastomosis was made with EEA staplers in esophagogastrstomy. In cases of jejunal free transfer, 6cases of proximal esophagojejunostomy were stapled anastomosed and remaining 6 cases and all distal site were hand-sewn anastomosed. All reconstruction was done through posteromediastinal route. RESULT: There were two mortalities from thoracic esophagogastrostomy and one from jeunal free transfer. Major and minor complications(anastomosis site leakage: 3 cases, graft failure: 2cases etc) occurred in 27 cases. In 15 thoracic esophagogastrostomy cases, 11 patients had mild to moderate reflux esophagitis and 5 patients incurred stricture of the anastomosis. Operation time was about 550 280 minutes in jejunal free transfer, and about 300 160 minutes in esophagogastromy patients. CONCLUSION: Post operative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia were more frequent in Ivor-Lewis operation group than jejunal free transfer group; however, respiratory complications and operation time were significantly longer in jejunal free transfer group(p<0.05). To minimize the incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia,patient evaluation focused on jejunal free transfer surgery is better than esophagogastrostomy followed by adequate post operative care.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Esophageal Diseases ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jejunum ; Mortality ; Prostheses and Implants ; Thoracotomy ; Transplants

Capsule endoscopy can be a diagnostic option for patients with esophageal diseases who cannot tolerate esophagogastroduodenoscopy.Functional modifications of the capsule allow for thorough examination of the esophagus. Esophageal capsule endoscopy has so farfailed to show sufficient performance to justify the replacement of traditional endoscopy for the diagnosis of esophageal diseasesbecause the esophagus has a short transit time and common pathologies appear near the esophagogastric junction. However,technological improvements are being introduced to overcome the limitations of capsule endoscopy, which is expected to become agood alternative to conventional endoscopy.
Barrett Esophagus ; Capsule Endoscopy* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Esophageal Diseases ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Pathology

With the advances in technology and medical knowledge, new diseases are being identified and investigated. Esophageal motility disorders have been re-defined using high-resolution manometry and their pathogenesis are being better understood. The use of opioid analgesics is increasing worldwide, particularly in the United States, but their chronic use can cause opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction, which mimics spastic motor disorders, including achalasia type 3 or 2 and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. Eosinophilic esophagitis is identified by eosinophilic infiltration confirmed on a pathological examination. The condition is often associated with esophageal motility abnormalities. On the other hand, recent studies have suggested that muscle-predominant eosinophilic infiltration, eosinophilic esophageal myositis, might manifest as spastic motor disorders, including achalasia or jackhammer esophagus. Lymphocytic esophagitis is an unusual esophageal condition, which is confirmed by the increased number of lymphocytes in the esophageal epithelium. Although several reports have supported the existence of lymphocytic esophagitis, it is still unclear whether lymphocytic esophagitis is a distinct disease entity or another spectrum of other esophageal diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or eosinophilic esophagitis. This review presents evidence and reports on the emerging issues in esophageal motility disorders, including opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction, eosinophilic esophagitis with eosinophilic esophageal myositis, and lymphocytic esophagitis.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Eosinophilic Esophagitis ; Eosinophils ; Epithelium ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Diseases ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophagitis ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hand ; Lymphocytes ; Manometry ; Motor Disorders ; Muscle Spasticity ; Myositis ; United States

With the advances in technology and medical knowledge, new diseases are being identified and investigated. Esophageal motility disorders have been re-defined using high-resolution manometry and their pathogenesis are being better understood. The use of opioid analgesics is increasing worldwide, particularly in the United States, but their chronic use can cause opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction, which mimics spastic motor disorders, including achalasia type 3 or 2 and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. Eosinophilic esophagitis is identified by eosinophilic infiltration confirmed on a pathological examination. The condition is often associated with esophageal motility abnormalities. On the other hand, recent studies have suggested that muscle-predominant eosinophilic infiltration, eosinophilic esophageal myositis, might manifest as spastic motor disorders, including achalasia or jackhammer esophagus. Lymphocytic esophagitis is an unusual esophageal condition, which is confirmed by the increased number of lymphocytes in the esophageal epithelium. Although several reports have supported the existence of lymphocytic esophagitis, it is still unclear whether lymphocytic esophagitis is a distinct disease entity or another spectrum of other esophageal diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or eosinophilic esophagitis. This review presents evidence and reports on the emerging issues in esophageal motility disorders, including opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction, eosinophilic esophagitis with eosinophilic esophageal myositis, and lymphocytic esophagitis.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Eosinophilic Esophagitis ; Eosinophils ; Epithelium ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Diseases ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophagitis ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hand ; Lymphocytes ; Manometry ; Motor Disorders ; Muscle Spasticity ; Myositis ; United States

Balloon dilatation has been applied in treatint of various pathologic narrowing of the hollow viscus. It is now accepted as very effective modality especially in treating esophageal stenosis obviating surgical procedure. We performed 128 balloon dilatations in 29 patients with the number of dilatations in each patient ranging from once to 12 times. The age distribution of the patients was from 3 weeks to 6 years, with the median age of 3 months. Twenty nine patients consisted of 25 postoperative esophageal strictures (21 esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, 1 congenital esophageal stenosis, 2 tracheobronchial remnant, and 1 congenital esophageal stenosis with esophageal atresia), 2 achalasia, 1 congenital esophageal stenosis, and 1 corrosive esophagitis. We had successful dilation in 22 patients, who showed subsequent relief of symptoms and improvement in the diameter of stenotic segment. In 4 patients, esophageal perforation occurred during the procedure, one requiring emergency thoracotomy and the other threeconservative management. Seven patients had no improvement in stenotic sites after several balloon dilatations. Failed cases were congenital stenosis, achalasia, corrosive esophagitis and four postoperative strictures. We believe that balloon dilatation is the procedure of choice in the treatment of postoperative esophageal stricture in infants and children and is a safe method as the perforation which can complicate the procedure could be managed conservatively.
Age Distribution ; Child* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation* ; Emergencies ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Atresia ; Esophageal Perforation ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagitis ; Humans ; Infant* ; Methods ; Thoracotomy ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Dissection intramural hematoma of the esophagus (DIHO) is a rare, but well-documented condition that is part of the spectrum of acute esophageal injuries; these include the more common Mallory-Weiss tear and Boerhaave's syndrome. This disorder is predominantly seen in women during their sixth or seventh decade and the disease has various etiologies, but the pathogenesis has yet to be clarified. The triad of symptoms for this disorder includes retrosternal pain, hematemesis and odynophagia. It is important to differentiate esophageal submucosal dissection form other disorders that have a similar appearance, such as Mallory-Weiss syndrome and esophageal perforation because the prognosis of DIHO is excellent with conservative therapy and these other diseases require surgical treatment. We report here on a case of a dissecting intramural hematoma of the esophagus that was preoperatively misdiagnosed as the submucosal tumor of the esophagus preoperatively, and it was confirmed by Video-assisted thoracic surgery.
Esophageal Perforation ; Esophagus ; Female ; Hematemesis ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Mallory-Weiss Syndrome ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to investigate the characteristics of oropharyngeal dysphagia and videofluoroscopic study (VFSS) findings in esophageal diseases. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and VFSS findings in thirteen patients with esophageal cancer and stricture. Videofluoroscopic parameters of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases were measured. Patients were divided into three groups according to their diseases: Group A, esophageal cancer with esophagectomy (5 patients); Group B, esophageal cancer with non-operative treatment (3 patients); and Group C, esophageal stricture with surgical treatment (5 patients). RESULTS: Group A had vocal cord palsy (VCP) after esophagectomy, and all patients showed poor laryngeal closure and aspiration during swallowing. Group B received radiation therapy prior to VFSS and showed poor laryngeal closure and high pharyngeal residue with aspiration during and after swallowing. Group C received esophagectomy with anastomosis of lower gastrointestinal tract (stomach, jejunum, colon). Most had VCP and showed high pharyngeal residue, stricture of upper esophageal sphincter, and poor oral control with aspiration during and after swallowing. CONCLUSION: Characteristics of dysphagia on VFSS were poor laryngeal closure in operated esophageal cancer patients. In patients of non-operated esophageal cancer and esophageal stricture, high pharyngeal residue and poor laryngeal closure were characterized.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Esophageal Diseases* ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Jejunum ; Lower Gastrointestinal Tract ; Oropharynx ; Retrospective Studies ; Vocal Cord Paralysis

This paper reviews the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with Barrett's esophagus and esophageal carcinoma. We describe the history of PDT, mechanics, photosensitizers for PDT in patients with esophageal disease. Finally, we discuss its utility and limitations in this setting.
Aminolevulinic Acid ; Barrett Esophagus ; Dihematoporphyrin Ether ; Esophageal Diseases ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; Triazenes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects and complications of self-expandable metallic stent for the treatment of malignant esophagogastric strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 1991 to March 1995, 110 stents were placed under fluoroscopic guidance in 103 patients. Of the 103 patients, there were 73 patients with esophageal cancer, 14 patients with gastric cancer, 12 patients with recurrence after surgery, three patients with esophageal compression by metastatic mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and one patient with esophageal invasion by lung cancer. Seventeen patients had esophagorespiratory fistulas. Under fluoroscopic guidance, 113 self-expandable metallic stents (99 Song stents, 14 Strecker stents) were placed in 103 patients. RESULTS: After stent placement, 68 (66%) of the patients could ingest solid food, 26 (25.2%) could ingest soft food, whereas three (2.9%) were not able to have food. Esophagorespiratory fistulas were occluded immediately after stent insertion. All stents were placed without any technical failures or procedural morbidity or mortality. Complications included restenosis in 13, gastroesophageal reflux in 11, stent tube migration in eight, massive bleeding in four, delayed esophageal perforation in one, stent obstruction by food impaction in one patient. CONCLUSION: Self-expandable metallic stent seems to be relatively safe and effective procedure in the palliative treatment of malignant esophagogastric stricture.
Constriction, Pathologic* ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophageal Perforation ; Fistula ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mortality ; Music ; Palliative Care* ; Recurrence ; Stents* ; Stomach Neoplasms