title: Treatment of cricopharyngeal dysfunction: a comparative pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cricopharyngeal dysfunction is a narrowing at the level of the upper oesophageal sphincter caused by failed or incomplete sphincter opening as a result of lack of pharyngoesophageal coordination or reduction in the muscular compliance of the upper oesophageal sphincter. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a typical symptom. Videomanometry allows direct comparison of pressure readings with dynamic anatomy during swallowing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective randomized pilot study that compares the effect of balloon dilatation and laser myotomy in cricopharyngeal dysfunction. We used videomanometry as an objective measure and the Swedish version of Sydney Swallowing Questionnaire as patient's self-assessment at baseline and 1 and 6 months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The UES sagittal diameter increased from 5.6 mm pre-operatively to 8.4 mm 6 months post-operatively with no differences between treatment groups. Preoperative mean Sydney Swallowing Questionnaire score was 770 and 6 months post-operative score 559, with no difference between the treatments in our cohort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cricopharyngeal dysfunction treatment by either laser myotomy or balloon dilatation improved upper oesophageal sphincter opening during at least 6 months.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN84905610, date: 081214.
authors.affiliation: Division of Logopedics, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Jan Waldenströmsgata 18, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. barenazb@yahoo.com.|Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Jan Waldenströmsgata 18, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. barenazb@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arenaz Búa
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Centre of Imaging and Functional Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. rolf.olsson@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.affiliation: Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Jan Waldenströmsgata 18, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. ulla.westin@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Westin
authors.affiliation: Division of Logopedics, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 85, Lund, Sweden. roland.rydell@med.lu.se.|Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 85, Lund, Sweden. roland.rydell@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rydell
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Centre of Imaging and Functional Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences/Medical Radiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. olle.ekberg@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Olle
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004106:Dilatation; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014741:Video Recording