The sensory system of the esophagus--what do we know?
The nervous innervation and complex mechanical function of the esophagus make sensory evaluation difficult. However, during the last decades, several new techniques have made it possible to gain insight into pain processing of nociceptive signals. The current review highlights the sensory innervation and possibilities for quantitative sensory testing, the mechanosensory properties, the potential of high-resolution manometry and imaging, and the sensory system in special conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus. It is mandatory to understand the complex pathophysiology of the esophagus to enhance our understanding of esophageal disorders, but it also increases the complexity of future experimental and clinical studies. The new methods, as outlined in the current review, provide the possibility for researchers to enhance the quality of interdisciplinary research and to gain more knowledge about sensory symptoms and treatment possibilities.
Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. cb@mech-sense.com.
Christina
C
Brock
GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Hans
H
Gregersen
Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
C Prakash
CP
Gyawali
Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.|Department of Medicine, North Jutland Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark.
Christian
C
Lottrup
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Manuele
M
Furnari
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Edoardo
E
Savarino
Neurogastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory, Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Luis
L
Novais
Mech-Sense, Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Jens Brøndum
JB
Frøkjaer
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
Serhat
S
Bor
Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Asbjørn Mohr
AM
Drewes
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*
brain; esophagus; imaging; neurophysiology; pain