AIM： Although most patients with achalasia respond to pneumatic dilation, one-third experienced recurrence, and prolonged follow-up studies on parameters associated with various outcomes are scanty. In this retrospec...AIM： Although most patients with achalasia respond to pneumatic dilation, one-third experienced recurrence, and prolonged follow-up studies on parameters associated with various outcomes are scanty. In this retrospective study, we reported a 15-years＇ experience with pneumatic dilation treatment in patients with primary achalasia, and determined whether previously described predictors of outcome remain significant after endoscopic dilation. METHODS： Between September 1989 and September 2004, 39 consecutive patients with primary symptomatic achalasia （diagnosed by clinical presentation, esophagoscopy, barium esophagogram, and manometry） who received balloon dilation were followed up at regular intervals in person or by phone interview. Remission was assessed by a structured interview and a previous symptoms score. The median dysphagia-free duration was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS： Symptoms were dysphagia （n = 39, 100%）, regurgitation （n = 23, 58.7%）, chest pain （n = 4, 10.2%）, and weight loss （n = 26, 66.6%）. A total of 74 dilations were performed in 39 patients; 13 patients （28%） underwent a single dilation, 17 patients （48.7%） required a second procedure within a median of 26.7 mo （range 5-97mo）, and 9 patients （23.3%） underwent a third procedure within a median of 47.8 mo （range 37-120 mo）. Post-dilation lower esophageal sphincter （LES） pressure, assessed in 35 patients, has decreased from a baseline of 35.8±10.4- 10.0±7.1 mmHg after the procedure. The median follow-up period was 9.3 years （range 0.5-15 years）. The dysphagia- free duration by Kaplan-Neier analysis was 78%, 61% and 58.3% after 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. CONCLUSION： Balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment for primary achalasia. Post-dilation LES pressure estimation may be useful in assessing response. 2005 The W.IG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.展开更多
BACKGROUND Heart transplantation is recommended for the treatment of patients with refractory heart failure.Chest pain after heart transplantation is usually considered noncardiac owing to the denervated heart.However...BACKGROUND Heart transplantation is recommended for the treatment of patients with refractory heart failure.Chest pain after heart transplantation is usually considered noncardiac owing to the denervated heart.However,data from case reports on tacrolimus-induced achalasia after heart transplantation are limited.We aimed to present a case of tacrolimus-induced achalasia that developed after heart tran-splantation,which was successfully relieved by laparoscopic Heller myotomy.CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old man with a history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus,hyperlipidemia,and dilated cardiomyopathy had congestive heart failure following orthotopic heart transplantation with tacrolimus treatment 12 years ago.At the 10-year follow-up after the heart transplantation,the patient presented with persistent cough,dysphagia,heartburn,and retrosternal chest pain lasting for 2 wk.Upper endoscopy revealed no specific findings.Two years later,the patient experienced the same symptoms,including chest pain lasting for 4 wk.Esophagogram and manometry confirmed the presence of achalasia.Previous reports showed that discontinuing calcineurin inhibitor(CNI)treatment and endoscopic botulinum toxin injection could treat CNI-induced achalasia.Owing to the risk of rejection of the transplanted heart and considering the temporary benefits of botulinum toxin injection in achalasia,the patient underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy.Dysphagia was relieved without complications.Eight months later,he had no signs of recurrence of the achalasia.CONCLUSION In transplant patients with chest pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, CNIinducedachalasia may be one of the differential diagnoses. Esophagogram/manometry is useful for diagnosis.展开更多
文摘AIM： Although most patients with achalasia respond to pneumatic dilation, one-third experienced recurrence, and prolonged follow-up studies on parameters associated with various outcomes are scanty. In this retrospective study, we reported a 15-years＇ experience with pneumatic dilation treatment in patients with primary achalasia, and determined whether previously described predictors of outcome remain significant after endoscopic dilation. METHODS： Between September 1989 and September 2004, 39 consecutive patients with primary symptomatic achalasia （diagnosed by clinical presentation, esophagoscopy, barium esophagogram, and manometry） who received balloon dilation were followed up at regular intervals in person or by phone interview. Remission was assessed by a structured interview and a previous symptoms score. The median dysphagia-free duration was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS： Symptoms were dysphagia （n = 39, 100%）, regurgitation （n = 23, 58.7%）, chest pain （n = 4, 10.2%）, and weight loss （n = 26, 66.6%）. A total of 74 dilations were performed in 39 patients; 13 patients （28%） underwent a single dilation, 17 patients （48.7%） required a second procedure within a median of 26.7 mo （range 5-97mo）, and 9 patients （23.3%） underwent a third procedure within a median of 47.8 mo （range 37-120 mo）. Post-dilation lower esophageal sphincter （LES） pressure, assessed in 35 patients, has decreased from a baseline of 35.8±10.4- 10.0±7.1 mmHg after the procedure. The median follow-up period was 9.3 years （range 0.5-15 years）. The dysphagia- free duration by Kaplan-Neier analysis was 78%, 61% and 58.3% after 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. CONCLUSION： Balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment for primary achalasia. Post-dilation LES pressure estimation may be useful in assessing response. 2005 The W.IG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
文摘BACKGROUND Heart transplantation is recommended for the treatment of patients with refractory heart failure.Chest pain after heart transplantation is usually considered noncardiac owing to the denervated heart.However,data from case reports on tacrolimus-induced achalasia after heart transplantation are limited.We aimed to present a case of tacrolimus-induced achalasia that developed after heart tran-splantation,which was successfully relieved by laparoscopic Heller myotomy.CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old man with a history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus,hyperlipidemia,and dilated cardiomyopathy had congestive heart failure following orthotopic heart transplantation with tacrolimus treatment 12 years ago.At the 10-year follow-up after the heart transplantation,the patient presented with persistent cough,dysphagia,heartburn,and retrosternal chest pain lasting for 2 wk.Upper endoscopy revealed no specific findings.Two years later,the patient experienced the same symptoms,including chest pain lasting for 4 wk.Esophagogram and manometry confirmed the presence of achalasia.Previous reports showed that discontinuing calcineurin inhibitor(CNI)treatment and endoscopic botulinum toxin injection could treat CNI-induced achalasia.Owing to the risk of rejection of the transplanted heart and considering the temporary benefits of botulinum toxin injection in achalasia,the patient underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy.Dysphagia was relieved without complications.Eight months later,he had no signs of recurrence of the achalasia.CONCLUSION In transplant patients with chest pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, CNIinducedachalasia may be one of the differential diagnoses. Esophagogram/manometry is useful for diagnosis.
