Family occurrence of achalasia and diffuse spasm of the oesophagus.
In view of the unknown aetiology of achalasia and diffuse oesophageal spasm we report four families (father/son, mother/son, brother/brother, cousin/cousin) with achalasia and oesophageal spasm examined by radiology, endoscopy and manometry. Family occurrence of oesophageal motor disorders supports the hypothesis that a genetic trait may play a role in the pathogenesis. The family coincidence of achalasia and oesophageal spasm supports a close relationship between the two diseases.
Frieling
T
T
Department of Gastroenterology, University of Düsseldorf, FR Germany.
Berges
W
W
Borchard
F
F
Lübke
H J
HJ
Enck
P
P
Wienbeck
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000235:genetics*; D015155:Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree