Endoscopic ultrasonography in achalasia.
Six patients with known achalasia were examined by endoscopic ultrasonography before dilatation therapy. At the level of the lower esophageal sphincter, a typical enlargement of the echolayer corresponding to the muscularis propria was observed in 5 cases. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a complementary procedure to manometry and x-ray for diagnosing achalasia. It helps differentiate achalasia from pseudoachalasia. In pseudoachalasia there is tumor infiltration.
Devière
J
J
Department of Gastroenterology, ULB Hospital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium.
Dunham
F
F
Rickaert
F
F
Bourgeois
N
N
Cremer
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography