title: Clinical presentations and complications of achalasia.
abstract: Patients with achalasia often present with atypical symptoms. If these occur in the context of "normal" morphological findings, the diagnosis may be delayed for several years. However, a careful interview and the use of modern methods that concentrate on pathophysiologic aspects always allow an early diagnosis and the initiation of therapy that affects most but rarely all symptoms. Finally, regardless of whether this therapy remains partially or totally effective, patients require some follow-up since serious and late complications may occur.
authors.affiliation: University of Mainz; and Deutsche Klinik fur Diagnostik, Wiesbaden, Germany. veckardt@mail.Uni-Mainz.de
authors.forename: V F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Eckardt
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006356:Heartburn / Q000209:etiology*; D006606:Hiccup / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015431:Weight Loss