Background/Aims: The pathophysiology of jackhammer esophagus (JE) remains unknown but may be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease or medication use. We aim to determine if pathologic acid exposure or the use of specific classes of medications (based on the mechanism of action) is associated with JE. Methods: High-resolution manometry (HRM) studies from November 2013 to March 2019 with a diagnosis of JE were identified and compared to symptomatic control patients with normal HRM. Esophageal acid exposure and medication use were compared between groups. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to look for predictors of mean distal contractile integral. Results: Forty-two JE and 127 control patients were included in the study. Twenty-two (52%) JE and 82 (65%) control patients underwent both HRM and ambulatory pH monitoring. Two (9%) JE patients and 14 (17%) of controls had evidence of abnormal acid exposure (DeMeester score > 14.7); this difference was not significant (P = 0.290). Thirty-six (86%) JE and 127 (100%) control patients had complete medication lists. Significantly more JE patients were on long-acting beta agonists (LABA) (JE = 5, control = 4; P = 0.026) and calcium channel blockers (CCB) (JE = 5, control = 3; P = 0.014). Regular opioids (β = 0.298, P = 0.042), CCB (β = 0.308, P = 0.035), and inhaled anticholinergics (β = 0.361, P = 0.049) predicted mean distal contractile integral (R2 = 0.082, F = 4.8; P = 0.003). Conclusions Pathologic acid exposure does not appear to be associated with JE. JE patients had increased CCB and LABA use. The unexpected finding of increased LABA use warrants more investigation and may provide support for a cholinergic etiology of JE.

BACKGROUND: Variable methods have been introduced for reduction of the zygomatic fractures. The Dingman elevator is used widely to reduce these fractures but is inappropriate in certain types of fractures which require atypical traction vectors. We introduce and examine an alternate method of reducing zygomatic fractures using wire and hook traction. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed for all zygomatic fracture patients admitted between 2008 and 2014. Medially rotated fractures were reduced by using a wire looped through an intermaxillary screw secured on the medial side of the zygoma. Laterally rotated fractures were reduced using a hook introduced through an infrazygomatic skin incision. RESULTS: No accidental bleeding or incomplete reduction was observed in any of the cases. Postoperative imaging demonstrated proper reduction immediately after the operation. Follow-up computed tomography study at 1 month after operation also demonstrated proper reduction and healthy union across the previous site of fracture. CONCLUSION: The hook and wire method allowed precise application of traction forces across zygomatic fractures. The fractured bone fragment could be pulled in the direction precisely opposite to the vector of impact at the time of trauma. Soft tissue damage due to dissection was minimized. In particular, this method was effective in reducing rotated bone fragments and can be an alternative option to using the zygoma elevator.
Elevators and Escalators ; Facial Bones ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Traction* ; Zygoma ; Zygomatic Fractures*