title: [Motility disorders of the esophagus].
abstract: Motility disorders of the esophagus comprise a heterogeneous spectrum of diseases. Primary malformations of the esophagus are now amenable to improved surgical and gastroenterological therapies; however, they often lead to persistent long-term esophageal dysmotility. Achalasia originates from impaired relaxation of the gastroesophageal sphincter apparatus. Systemic diseases may give rise to secondary disorders of esophageal motility. A number of visceral neuromuscular disorders show an esophageal manifestation but aganglionosis rarely extends into the esophagus. The growing group of myopathies includes metabolic and mitochondrial disorders with increasing levels of genetic characterization and incipient emergence of therapeutic strategies. Esophagitis with an infectious etiology causes severe dysmotility particularly in immunocompromised patients. Immunologically mediated inflammatory processes involving the esophagus are increasingly better understood. Finally, rare tumors and tumor-like lesions may impair esophageal motor function.
authors: Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Schweiz. Elisabeth.bruder@unibas.ch
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bruder
authors: A-L
authors: AL
authors: Rougemont
authors: R I
authors: RI
authors: Furlano
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Schneider
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Mayr
authors: F-M
authors: FM
authors: Haecker
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Beier
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Schneider
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Weber
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Berberich
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Cathomas
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Meier-Ruge
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors