Heartburn Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Heartburn, including details on symptoms, causes, prevention, treatment, diet, reflux, drugs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease progressing to achalasia.

Király A, Illés A, Undi S, Varga G, Kalmár K, Horváth PO

Third Department of Medicine, University of Pécs Medical Center, Hungary.

SUMMARY. Two achalasia patients with former complaints of heartburn were examined. Antisecretory drugs were used by the patients when dysphagia occured. Barium X-ray and esophageal manometry were performed and achalasia was diagnosed in both patients. Twenty-four-hour pH-metry showed significant and long-lasting acid reflux during supine position. Prolonged reflux episodes can be explained not only by the swallow-unrelated transient relachemical insensitivity. Thus preoperative detection of reflux should determinate either the operational procedure and the postoperative follow up of the patient.

Published 3 October 2005 in Dis Esophagus, 18(5): 355-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Heartburn Research Today. All Rights Reserved.