title: Historical perspective of achalasia.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the historic background of achalasia. It describes how achalasia was first chronicled in the 17th century. Prevalent theories of etiology from the original description to present day constructs are examined. Important individuals and their contributions to the concepts of achalasia are reviewed and various nonsurgical and surgical therapeutic techniques from antiquity to today are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; and Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20889, USA.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D004106:Dilatation / Q000266:history; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000266:history; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009626:Terminology as Topic