title: Radiologic amyl nitrite test for distinguishing pseudoachalasia from idiopathic achalasia.
abstract: In a simple radiologic test, amyl nitrite inhalation seems to distinguish patients with pseudoachalasia from those with idiopathic achalasia. In three pseudoachalasia patients with tumor infiltration of the distal esophagus, the narrow lower esophageal sphincter segment was unaffected by the smooth-muscle relaxant effect of amyl nitrite. In contrast, amyl nitrite caused a measurable increase of 2 mm or more in sphincter diameter in nine patients with idiopathic achalasia. The amyl nitrite test may be a useful method for distinguishing patients with pseudoachalasia from those with idiopathic achalasia.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Dodds
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kishk
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kahrilas
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hogan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000680:Amyl Nitrite; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000680:Amyl Nitrite