title: POEM Procedure: What the Radiologist Needs to Know for This New Surgical Intervention for Achalasia.
abstract: Achalasia is a debilitating condition resulting from the failure of appropriate lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Traditionally, the treatment of choice for achalasia has been a Heller myotomy, performed either via laparotomy or laparoscopically. The latter method has gained wide popularity in its documented lower postoperative morbidity. Recently, however, a new technique has been developed that can be performed by both thoracic surgeons and endoscopists-Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy. This procedure offers an alternative to invasive surgery and provides excellent outcomes with minimal recovery time.1This article would help familiarize radiologists with this new technique, as well as both normal and abnormal postoperative appearances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: jkass@wpahs.org.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maheshwary
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gurram
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hartman
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media