title: Imaging in the Evaluation of Endoscopic or Surgical Treatment for Achalasia.
abstract: Purpose. Aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the endoscopic (pneumatic dilation) versus surgical (Heller myotomy) treatment in patients affected by esophageal achalasia using barium X-ray examination of the digestive tract performed before and after the treatment. Materials and Methods. 19 patients (10 males and 9 females) were enrolled in this study; each patient underwent a barium X-ray examination to evaluate the esophageal diameter and the height of the barium column before and after endoscopic or surgical treatment. Results. The mean variation of oesophageal diameter before and after treatment is -2.1 mm for surgery and 1.74 mm for pneumatic dilation (OR 0.167, CI 95% 0.02-1.419, and P: 0.10). The variations of all variables, with the exception of the oesophageal diameter variation, are strongly related to the treatment performed. Conclusions. The barium X-ray study of the digestive tract, performed before and after different treatment approaches, demonstrates that the surgical treatment has to be considered as the treatment of choice of achalasia, reserving endoscopic treatment to patients with high operative risk and refusing surgery.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palladino
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mardighian
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Second University of Naples, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Marilina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Amora
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Second University of Naples, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, "V. Monaldi" Hospital, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lassandro
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Second University of Naples, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Second University of Naples, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gatta
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaglione
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Guglielmi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuseppe
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