Diffuse esophageal spasm

Diffuse esophageal spasm

Classification and external resources
ICD-10	K22.4
ICD-9-CM	530.5
DiseasesDB	32060
MedlinePlus	000289
eMedicine	med/743
MeSH	D015155

Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) is a condition characterized by uncoordinated contractions of the esophagus, which may cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or regurgitation. In some cases, it may causes symptoms such as chest pain, similar to heart disease. The cause of DES remains unknown.

Certain abnormalities on x-ray imaging are commonly observed in DES, such as a "corkscrew" or "rosary bead esophagus," although these findings are not unique to this condition. Specialized testing called manometry can be performed to evaluate the motor function of the esophagus, which can help identify abnormal patterns of muscle contraction within the esophagus that are suggestive of DES. The treatment of DES consists primarily of medications, such as acid suppressing agents (like proton pump inhibitors), calcium channel blockers, or nitrates. In only extremely rare cases, surgery may be considered. People with DES have higher incidences of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and anxiety.

Signs and symptoms

DES manifests as intermittent difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) for solid foods and liquids, and atypical chest pain. The chest pain may appear similar to cardiac chest pain (angina pectoris), so investigating the possible existence of heart disease is often indicated.^[1]

Causes

Causes of diffuse esophageal spasm are not well understood. It is thought, however, that many cases are caused by uncontrolled brain signals running to nerve endings. Therefore, suppression medication is often the first line therapy such as anti depressants and anti-epileptic medication are prescribed. It has also been reported that very cold or hot beverages can trigger an esophageal spasm. Avoidance therapy benefits some people, but it has not been medically proven.

Radiography

Corkscrew appearance of the esophagus.

Several radiographic findings are suggestive of DES, such as a "rosary bead esophagus" or "corkscrew" appearance on barium swallow x-ray, although these findings are not unique to DES.^[1]

Treatment

Several drugs are used to treat DES, including nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers, hydralazine, and anti-anxiety medications.^[1] Acid suppression therapy, such as proton pump inhibitors, are often the first line therapy. Botulinum toxin, which inhibits acetylcholine release from nerve endings, injected above the lower esophageal sphincter may also be used in the treatment of DES. Small studies have suggested benefit from endoscopic balloon dilation in certain patients, but all of the above have a low percentage of success in treating the condition; whilst the treatments work in some sufferers, it does not work for everyone.^[2] In extremely rare cases, surgery may be considered.^[1]

References

1 2 3 4 Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. p. 1905-1906. ISBN 0071802150.
↑ Esophageal Spasm~treatment at eMedicine

External links

Barium swallow images of DES

Diseases of the digestive system (primarily K20–K93, 530–579)

Upper GI tract

Esophagus	Esophagitis Candidal Eosinophilic Herpetiform Rupture Boerhaave syndrome Mallory-Weiss syndrome UES Zenker's diverticulum LES Barrett's esophagus Esophageal motility disorder Nutcracker esophagus Achalasia Diffuse esophageal spasm Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) Esophageal stricture Megaesophagus

Stomach	Gastritis Atrophic Ménétrier's disease Gastroenteritis Peptic (gastric) ulcer Cushing ulcer Dieulafoy's lesion Dyspepsia Pyloric stenosis Achlorhydria Gastroparesis Gastroptosis Portal hypertensive gastropathy Gastric antral vascular ectasia Gastric dumping syndrome Gastric volvulus

Lower GI tract:
Intestinal/
Enteropathy

Small intestine (Duodenum/Jejunum/Ileum)	Enteritis Duodenitis Jejunitis Ileitis Peptic (duodenal) ulcer Curling's ulcer Malabsorption: Coeliac Tropical sprue Blind loop syndrome Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome Whipple's Short bowel syndrome Steatorrhea Milroy disease bile acid malabsorption

Large intestine (Appendix/Colon)	Appendicitis Colitis Pseudomembranous Ulcerative Ischemic Microscopic Collagenous Lymphocytic Functional colonic disease IBS Intestinal pseudoobstruction / Ogilvie syndrome Megacolon / Toxic megacolon Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis

Large and/or small	Enterocolitis Necrotizing Gastroenterocolitis IBD Crohn's disease Vascular: Abdominal angina Mesenteric ischemia Angiodysplasia Bowel obstruction: Ileus Intussusception Volvulus Fecal impaction Constipation Diarrhea Infectious Intestinal adhesions

Rectum	Proctitis Radiation proctitis Proctalgia fugax Rectal prolapse Anismus

Anal canal	Anal fissure/Anal fistula Anal abscess Anal dysplasia Pruritus ani

GI bleeding/BIS

Accessory

Liver	Hepatitis Viral hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis Alcoholic hepatitis Cirrhosis PBC Fatty liver NASH Vascular Budd-Chiari syndrome Hepatic veno-occlusive disease Portal hypertension Nutmeg liver Alcoholic liver disease Liver failure Hepatic encephalopathy Acute liver failure Liver abscess Pyogenic Amoebic Hepatorenal syndrome Peliosis hepatis Metabolic disorders Wilson's Disease Hemochromatosis

Gallbladder	Cholecystitis Gallstones/Cholecystolithiasis Cholesterolosis Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses Postcholecystectomy syndrome Porcelain gallbladder

Bile duct/ Other biliary tree	Cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis Secondary sclerosing cholangitis Ascending Cholestasis/Mirizzi's syndrome Biliary fistula Haemobilia Gallstones/Cholelithiasis Common bile duct Choledocholithiasis Biliary dyskinesia Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

Pancreatic	Pancreatitis Acute Chronic Hereditary Pancreatic abscess Pancreatic pseudocyst Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency Pancreatic fistula

Abdominopelvic

Hernia	Diaphragmatic Congenital Hiatus Inguinal Indirect Direct Umbilical Femoral Obturator Spigelian Lumbar Petit's Grynfeltt-Lesshaft Undefined location Incisional Internal hernia

Peritoneal	Peritonitis Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis Hemoperitoneum Pneumoperitoneum

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