title: Radiographic evaluation of esophagus immediately after pneumatic dilatation for achalasia.
abstract: Forty-one (98%) of 42 patients with achalasia of the esophagus had pneumatic dilatation performed successfully using the Brown-McHardy dilator. One to four dilatations (mean, 1.9) were done on each patient with inflation pressures of 8-15 psi (mean, 11.1 psi). Immediately after the procedure, all patients were examined radiographically by injection of contrast material into the lower esophagus through a nasoesophageal tube. Two immediate and two delayed perforations occurred. Six intramural hematomas were noted, five of which resolved spontaneously. The luminal diameter at the esophagogastric junction increased from a mean of 4.2 mm before dilatation to 7.5 mm following treatment. Four patients with previous Heller myotomy were dilated without complications. Perforation was more common in patients with a minimal change in the esophagogastric diameter. Thirty-five patients (85%) improved symptomatically within several days following pneumatic dilatation. Excluding patients with perforation, the postdilatation appearance of the lower esophagus poorly correlated with clinical response.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography