Bolus transit of upper esophageal sphincter on high-resolution impedance manometry study correlate with the laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms

Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptom is a troublesome upper esophageal problem, and reflux symptom index (RSI) is commonly applied for the assessment of clinical severity. We investigated the relationship between the upper esophageal sphincter impedance integral (UESII) and RSI scores in this study. Totally 158 subjects with high-resolution esophageal impedance manometry (HRIM) with RSI questionnaire assessment were recruited. There are 57 (36.08%), 74 (46.84%), 21 (13.29%), and 6 (3.79%) patients were categorized as normal, ineffective esophageal motility disorder, absent contractility, and achalasia by HRIM examination, respectively. Subjects with RSI > 13 were noted to have lower UESII than others with RSI ≦ 13 (7363.14 ± 1085.58 vs. 11,833.75 ± 918.77 Ω s cm; P < 0.005). The ROC analysis yielded a UESII cutoff of < 2900 Ω s cm for the best prediction of subjects with RSI > 13 (P = 0.002). Both female gender and UESII cutoff of < 2900 Ω s cm were significant predictors of RSI > 13 in logistic regression analysis (OR = 3.84 and 2.83; P = 0.001 and 0.01; respectively). Lower UESII on HRIM study, indicating poor bolus transit of UES during saline swallows, is significantly associated with prominent laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms scored by RSI score.

Phenotyping patients with borderline elevated esophageal acid exposure

Summary Acid exposure time (AET) &lt;4% on ambulatory reflux monitoring definitively rules out pathologic gastroesophageal acid reflux, while AET &gt;6% indicates pathologic reflux per the Lyon Consensus, leaving AET of 4–6% as borderline. We aimed to elucidate the borderline AET population and identify metrics that could help differentiate this group. A total of 50 subjects in each group, AET &lt;4, 4–6, and &gt;6% on pH-impedance monitoring between 2015 and 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. In addition to demographic and clinical information, the extracted data included mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) on reflux study and high-resolution manometry (HRM) parameters and diagnosis. After excluding patients with prior foregut surgery, major esophageal motility disorder, or unreliable impedance testing, a total of 89 subjects were included in the analysis (25 with normal AET &lt; 4%, 38 with borderline 4–6%, 26 with abnormal &gt;6%). MNBI in borderline AET patients was significantly lower compared to normal AET (1607.7 vs. 2524.0 ohms, P &lt; 0.01), and higher than abnormal AET (951.5 ohms, P &lt; 0.01). Borderline subjects had a greater frequency of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) diagnosis per Chicago classification v3.0 (42.1 vs. 8.0%, P = 0.01), but did not demonstrate any differences compared to abnormal subjects (34.6%, P = 0.56). Patients with borderline AET had an average MNBI that was in between normal AET and abnormal AET. Borderline AET patients also commonly demonstrate IEM on HRM, similar to those with abnormal AET. Our findings can be potentially useful in assigning higher clinical significance for patients found to have borderline AET with concomitant low MNBI and IEM on manometry.

Esophageal Motility Disorders in patients with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease diagnosed by using High Resolution Esophageal Manometry- data from the developing world

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a prevalence of 10-20% in the Western countries while its prevalence amongst the Pakistani population is between 22 to 24%. Esophageal manometry is currently the gold standard for diagnosing esophageal motility disorders. Aims and Objectives: To determine the frequency of esophageal motility disorder in patients with GERD. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan. Patients diagnosed with GERD (defined as having typical reflux symptoms with more than 2 episodes per were) were included in this study. These patients were subjected to upper GI endoscopy followed by esophageal manometry. Esophageal motility disorders were then classificated by using the Chicago classification 3.0. Results: A total of 76 patients were included in our study, out of which 41 (53.9%) were females. A mean age of 46.1 years ± 12 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.7kg/m2 was noted. The most common comorbid condition seen in our patients was diabetes mellitus, which was seen in 13 patients (17%). A normal EGD was noted in 48 patients (63%). Liquid perfusion esophageal manometer catheter was mainly used in our study that is in 70 patients (92.1%). Weak esophageal peristalsis was the most common esophageal motor abnormality seen in 16 patients (21.1%). Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients with GERD have the presence of a motility disorders, the early identification and treatment of which can lead to improvement GERD symptoms.

Comparison of Fully Coated Anti-Reflux Metal Stenting and Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy in Patients with Achalasia: A Propensity Score- Matched Retrospective Study

Background: Achalasia is a rare primary esophageal motility disorder disease. It is reported that the long-term effect of fully coated anti-reflux metal stent (FCARMS) implantation is satisfactory. Operated by a skilled and experienced endoscopist, the effect of POEM treatment is equivalent to that of surgical myotomy. So far, there is still few evidence to prove stent implantation or POEM which is better for achalasia. The choice of treatment for achalasia is still controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study is to find a more suitable therapy for achalasia by comparing the efficacy of FCARMS implantation and POEM.Methods: A propensity score (PS) matching (1:2) was used in this retrospective cohort study. Data collected from consecutive patients of Achalasia, receiving FCARMS implantation or POEM therapy at the department of gastroenterology, the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital from May 2007 to May 2018. According to their previous treatment, they are divided into two groups, FCARMS group and POEM group. Clinical efficacy and complications were compared between the two groups.Results: A total of 166 cases were collected, including 113 cases of FCARMS and 53 cases of POEM. By PS matching, 150 patients were enrolled (100 cases of FCARMS and 50 cases of POEM). By comparison, the FCARMS group has shorter operation time, shorter fasting time and lower hospitalization costs than the POEM group (p<0.05). Common complications in the FCARMS group are nausea, vomiting, and stent shift. Repetitions of gastroscopy in the FCARMS group was more often, which were 3.8±2.4（vs 2.1±1.8 of POEM）(p=0.00<0.05) The 6-month remission rates of the FCARMS combination POEM group were 89% and 94%, respectively (p=0.39), and the 2-year remission rates were 61% and 90%, respectively (p=0.00).Conclusions: Stent placement is a cost-effective and safe treatment option for achalasia. The short-term effect (less than 6 mons) of FCARMS is similar to that of POEM, the long-term effect (more than 2 years)，POEM is better than FCARMS. HRMⅡis most suitable for POEM treatment. It indicate that Patients can choose treatment methods according to their own conditions.

655 EVALUATION OF THE MODIFIED DOR TECHNIQUE FOR SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ACALASIA

Achalasia is the main esophageal motility disorder and has a significant negative impact on the patient's quality of life. Achalasia patients have dysphagia and vomiting, often associated with chest pain, leading to significant weight loss. The treatment of achalasia should be primarily to decrease the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. There are different therapeutic options for the treatment, and laparoscopic myotomy is the standard treatment, despite the improvement of new techniques such as POEM. Methods Prospective and retrospective study carried out in a university hospital with 33 patients with achalasia, operated with the wide myotomy technique associated with modified Dor fundoplication, from January 2017 to November 2020. The diagnosis was made by clinical, endoscopic, radiological and manometric studies. Symptomatic assessment and therapeutic success were performed using the Eckardt score before and after the operation. Rezende's classification was used to classify the degree of megaesophagus. The degree of megaesophagus was correlated with the result of the technique. The results were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26 software. Results Patients with idiopathic achalasia 28 (84.8%). Preoperative Eckardt score average 5.93 points, preoperative clinical stage I = 7 (21.2%), clinical stage II = 12 (36.4%) and clinical stage III = 14 (42.4%). 48-hour postoperative hospital stay. Average postoperative Eckardt score 0.30 points, with 32 (97%) clinical stage 0, and 1 (3%) in clinical stage I in the postoperative period. Remission rate of the disease after treatment 100%. There was no correlation between the degree of the megaesophagus with the preoperative symptoms or with the therapeutic result. There were no complications or need for reintervention. There were no reports of symptoms of GERD. Conclusion According to clinical, radiological and endoscopic data, the technique was considered safe and effective for the treatment and regression of achalasia symptoms in all degrees of megaesophagus in the present study. In addition, the technique was also effective as an anti-reflux mechanism, preventing the onset of symptoms of iatrogenic GERD.

Manometrically jackhammer esophagus with fluoroscopically/endoscopically distal esophageal spasm: a case report

Background Jackhammer esophagus is a rare esophageal motility disorder that can result in dysphagia, chest pain, and gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms. High-resolution manometry is the gold standard for diagnosis, while corkscrew esophagus on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is an uncommon manifestation. Case presentation 72-year-old man who presented with progressive dysphagia for three months without symptoms of chest pain or heartburn. Initial workup showed a corkscrew esophagus on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy; subsequently, high-resolution manometry revealed an esophago-gastric junction outflow obstruction with hypercontractile (jackhammer) esophagus. Treatment with calcium channel blockers and proton pump inhibitors was successful and relieved his symptoms near completion. Conclusions Even though the corkscrew esophagus is typically for distal esophageal spasm, the hypercontractile (jackhammer) esophagus can appear. The high-resolution manometry can help to distinguish each specific motility disorder.

Advances and caveats in modern achalasia management

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder characterized by the incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and impaired peristaltic activity. The advent of high-resolution manometry (HRM) and the rapidly evolving role of therapeutic endoscopy have revolutionized the approach to the diagnosis and management of achalasia patients in the last decade. With advances in HRM technology and methodology, fluoroscopy and EndoFlip, achalasia can be differentiated into therapeutically meaningful phenotypes with a high degree of accuracy. Further, the newest treatment option, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), has become a staple therapy following the last 10 years of experience, and recent randomized trials appear to show no difference between POEM, graded pneumatic dilatation and surgical Heller myotomy in terms of short- and long-term efficacy or complication rate. On the other hand, how treatment outcomes are measured as well as the risk of reflux following therapy remain areas of contention. This review aims to summarize the recent advancements in achalasia testing and therapy, describes the recent randomized clinical trials as well as their potential setbacks, and touches on the future of personalizing achalasia treatment.