title: ACG clinical guideline: diagnosis and management of achalasia.
abstract: Achalasia is a primary motor disorder of the esophagus characterized by insufficient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. This results in patients' complaints of dysphagia to solids and liquids, regurgitation, and occasional chest pain with or without weight loss. Endoscopic finding of retained saliva with puckered gastroesophageal junction or barium swallow showing dilated esophagus with birds beaking in a symptomatic patient should prompt appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this ACG guideline the authors present an evidence-based approach in patients with achalasia based on a comprehensive review of the pertinent evidence and examination of relevant published data.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-5280, USA. Michael.vaezi@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vaezi
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pandolfino
authors.forename: Marcelo F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vela
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D018579:Patient Selection