Achalasia Questions & Answers

Updated: Nov 13, 2023
  • Author: Marco Ettore Allaix, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Praveen K Roy, MD, MSc  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is achalasia?

What are the signs and symptoms of achalasia?

What is the role of lab studies in the diagnosis of achalasia?

What are pharmacologic and nonsurgical options for achalasia?

What are the surgical options for achalasia?

What is achalasia?

What is the pathophysiology of achalasia?

What causes achalasia?

What is the incidence of achalasia in the US?

What is the global incidence of achalasia?

How does the incidence of achalasia vary by sex and age?

What is the prognosis of achalasia?

Presentation

What are the signs and symptoms of achalasia?

DDX

How is malignant pseudoachalasia differentiated from achalasia?

What is the treatment for perforation from pneumatic dilation for achalasia?

Workup

When should a diagnosis of achalasia be considered?

What are the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines the diagnosis of achalasia?

What is the preferred assessment modality for the diagnosis of achalasia?

What are the findings from barium swallow that indicate achalasia?

What are the findings of esophageal manometry characteristic of achalasia?

What is the role of prolonged esophageal pH monitoring in the workup of achalasia?

What is the role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in the workup of achalasia?

Treatment

What are the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) treatment guidelines for achalasia?

What is the goal of therapy for achalasia?

What is the role of calcium channel blockers in the treatment of achalasia?

What is the role of botulinum toxin in the treatment of achalasia?

What is the role of pneumatic dilatation in the management of achalasia?

What is the role of laparoscopic Heller myotomy in the management of achalasia?

What is the role of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in the management of achalasia?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of achalasia?

What is the efficacy of surgery for achalasia?

What are the treatment options for achalasia after a failed surgery?

How do treatment options for achalasia vary by illness severity?

What is the role of esophagectomy in the treatment of achalasia?

What is the efficacy of laparoscopic Heller myotomy for treatment of achalasia?

When is pneumatic dilation indicated for the treatment of achalasia?

What is the efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of achalasia?

Which medications in the drug class Nitrates are used in the treatment of Achalasia?

Which medications in the drug class Calcium channel blockers are used in the treatment of Achalasia?