Achalasia (
//;
a- and
-chalasia "no relaxation") is a failure of
smooth muscle fibers to relax, which can cause a
sphincter to remain closed and fail to open when needed. Without a modifier, "achalasia" usually refers to achalasia of the
esophagus, which is also called
esophageal achalasia,
achalasia cardiae,
cardiospasm, and
esophageal aperistalsis. Achalasia can happen at various points along the
gastrointestinal tract; achalasia of the rectum, for instance, is
Hirschsprung's disease.
The most common form is primary achalasia, which has no known underlying cause. It is due to the failure of distal esophageal inhibitory neurons. However, a small proportion occurs secondary to other conditions, such as
esophageal cancer or
Chagas disease (an infectious disease common in South America).
[4] Achalasia affects about one person in 100,000 per year.
[4][5] There is no gender predominance for the occurrence of disease.
[6]
Signs and symptoms
The main symptoms of achalasia are
dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing),
regurgitation of undigested food,
chest pain behind the sternum, and weight loss.
[7] Dysphagia tends to become progressively worse over time and to involve both fluids and solids. Some people may also experience
coughing when lying in a horizontal position. The chest pain experienced, also known as cardiospasm and non-cardiac chest pain can often be mistaken for a heart attack. It can be extremely painful in some sufferers. Food and liquid, including saliva, are retained in the esophagus and may be inhaled into the lungs (
aspiration).
Mechanism
The cause of most cases of achalasia is unknown.
[8] LES pressure and relaxation are regulated by excitatory (e.g., acetylcholine, substance P) and inhibitory (e.g., nitric oxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide) neurotransmitters. Persons with achalasia lack nonadrenergic, noncholinergic, inhibitory ganglion cells, causing an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. The result is a hypertensive nonrelaxed esophageal sphincter.
[9]
Autopsy and myotomy specimens have, on histological examination, shown an inflammatory response consisting of CD3/CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes, variable numbers of eosinophils and mast cells, loss of ganglion cells, and neurofibrosis; these events appear to occur early in achalasia. Thus, it seems there is an autoimmune context to achalasia, most likely caused by viral triggers. Other studies suggest hereditary, neurodegenerative, genetic and infective contributions.
[10]
Diagnosis
An axial CT image showing marked dilatation of the esophagus in a person with achalasia.
Due to the similarity of symptoms, achalasia can be mistaken for more common disorders such as
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
hiatus hernia, and even
psychosomatic disorders. Specific tests for achalasia are
barium swallow and
esophageal manometry. In addition,
endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (
esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD), with or without
endoscopic ultrasound, is typically performed to rule out the possibility of cancer.
[4]The internal tissue of the esophagus generally appears normal in
endoscopy, although a "pop" may be observed as the scope is passed through the non-relaxing
lower esophageal sphincterwith some difficulty, and food debris may be found above the LES.
Barium swallow
"Bird's beak" appearance and "
megaesophagus," typical in achalasia.
The patient swallows a barium solution, with continuous
fluoroscopy (X-ray recording) to observe the flow of the fluid through the esophagus. Normal peristaltic movement of the esophagus is not seen. There is acute tapering at the
lower esophageal sphincter and narrowing at the
gastro-esophageal junction, producing a "bird's beak" or "rat's tail" appearance. The esophagus above the narrowing is often dilated (enlarged) to varying degrees as the esophagus is gradually stretched over time.
[4] An air-fluid margin is often seen over the barium column due to the lack of peristalsis. A five-minutes timed barium swallow can provide a useful benchmark to measure the effectiveness of treatment.
Esophageal manometry
Schematic of manometry in achalasia showing
aperistalticcontractions, increased intraesophageal pressure, and failure of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Because of its sensitivity, manometry (esophageal motility study) is considered the key test for establishing the diagnosis. A thin tube is inserted through the nose, and the patient is instructed to swallow several times. The probe measures muscle contractions in different parts of the esophagus during the act of swallowing. Manometry reveals failure of the LES to relax with swallowing and lack of functional peristalsis in the smooth muscle esophagus.
[4]
- Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to relax upon wet swallow (<75% relaxation)
- Pressure of LES <26 mm Hg is normal,>100 is considered achalasia, > 200 is nut cracker achalasia.
- Aperistalsis in esophageal body
- Relative increase in intra-esophageal pressure as compared with intra-gastric pressure
Biopsy
Biopsy, the removal of a tissue sample during endoscopy, is not typically necessary in achalasia but if performed shows
hypertrophied musculature and absence of certain nerve cells of the
myenteric plexus, a network of nerve fibers that controls esophageal peristalsis.
[11]
Treatment
Sublingual
nifedipine significantly improves outcomes in 75% of people with mild or moderate disease. It was classically considered that surgical myotomy provided greater benefit than either botulinum toxin or dilation in those who fail medical management.
[12] However, a recent randomized controlled trial found Pneumatic Dilation to be non-inferior to Laparoscopic Heller's Myotomy.
[13]
Lifestyle changes
Both before and after treatment, achalasia patients may need to eat slowly, chew very well, drink plenty of water with meals, and avoid eating near bedtime. Raising the head off the bed or sleeping with a wedge pillow promotes emptying of the esophagus by gravity. After surgery or pneumatic dilatation,
proton pump inhibitors are required to prevent reflux damage by inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and foods that can aggravate
reflux, including ketchup, citrus, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine, may need to be avoided.
Medication
Botulinum toxin (Botox) may be injected into the lower esophageal sphincter to paralyze the muscles holding it shut. As in the case of cosmetic Botox, the effect is only temporary and lasts about 6 months. Botox injections cause scarring in the sphincter which may increase the difficulty of later
Heller myotomy. This therapy is recommended only for patients who cannot risk surgery, such as elderly persons in poor health.
[4]
Pneumatic dilatation
In
balloon (pneumatic) dilation or dilatation, the muscle fibers are stretched and slightly torn by forceful inflation of a balloon placed inside the lower esophageal sphincter. Gastroenterologists who specialize in achalasia have performed many of these forceful balloon dilatations and achieve better results and fewer perforations. There is always a small risk of a perforation which requires immediate surgical repair. Pneumatic dilatation causes some scarring which may increase the difficulty of
Heller myotomy if the surgery is needed later.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) occurs after pneumatic dilatation in some patients. Pneumatic dilatation is most effective in the long term on patients over the age of 40; the benefits tend to be shorter-lived in younger patients. It may need to be repeated with larger balloons for maximum effectiveness.
[5]
Surgery
Heller myotomy helps 90% of achalasia patients. It can usually be performed by a
keyhole approach or laparoscopically.
[15] The myotomy is a lengthwise cut along the esophagus, starting above the LES and extending down onto the stomach a little way. The esophagus is made of several layers, and the myotomy cuts only through the outside muscle layers which are squeezing it shut, leaving the inner muscosal layer intact. A partial
fundoplication or "wrap" is generally added in order to prevent excessive
reflux, which can cause serious damage to the esophagus over time. After surgery, patients should keep to a
soft diet for several weeks to a month, avoiding foods that can aggravate reflux.
Most recommended fundoplication along with Heller's myotomy is Dor's fundoplication. It consists of 180 to 200 degree anterior wrap around the esophagus. It provides excellent result as compared to Nissen's fundoplication which is associated with higher incidence of the post surgery dysphagia.
[16] Recent years, new treatmant modality is endoscopically POEM ( peroral endoscopic myotomy). This therapy modality has been performed since 2010. POEM did about 2500 patients.
Follow-up
Follow-up monitoring: Even after successful treatment of achalasia, swallowing may still deteriorate over time. The esophagus should be checked every year or two with a timed barium swallow because some may need pneumatic dilatations, a repeat myotomy, or even
esophagectomy after many years. In addition, some physicians recommend pH testing and endoscopy to check for reflux damage, which may lead to a premalignant condition known as
Barrett's esophagus or a stricture if untreated.
Epidemiology
Incidence of achalasia is 1 to 2 per 200,000. Disease affects mostly adults between ages 30's and 50's.[
