Abstract

Background: Achalasia of the cardia is a common esophageal motility disorder. High-resolution manometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of achalasia. The body of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter (LOS) exhibits various motility characteristics that are typical to achalasia. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to study the physiology of the LOS in achalasia with a 16-channel water perfusion high-resolution esophageal manometer.
Materials and Methods: High-resolution esophageal manometry was performed in 13 adult patients of achalasia and the functional patterns were evaluated.
Results: 12 of 13 cases of achalasia had a high basal LOS pressure (BLOSP), while one had reduced pressure. All cases of achalasia had an elevated LOS nadir pressure, indicating an incomplete relaxation of the LOS. All 13 cases of achalasia showed the absence of peristalsis. Conclusion: A reduced BLOSP is rare in achalasia and so is a normal BLOSP; however, they have been described in literature, and hence, the BLOSP as such cannot be considered as a diagnostic feature of achalasia on manometry.