Oesophagus: Predicting treatment efficacy in patients with achalasia

摘要

When assessing treatment efficacy in patients with achalasia, measuring distensibility of the oesophagogastric junction (EGJ) could be a more useful parameter than lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, according to researchers from Belgium and The Netherlands. Typical symptoms of achalasia include dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, respiratory complications and chest pain. Managing this condition can be difficult, particularly as treatment success declines in the long term.