ACHALASIA
Achalasia refers to a rare disease of the muscle of the lower esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that prevents relaxation of the sphincter and inability of the muscles to contract, or absence of peristalsis, of the esophagus.
LES pressure and relaxation are regulated by excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters however, patients with achalasia lack these nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory ganglion cells thus, causing imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory processes of neurotransmitters resulting to a hypertensive nonrelaxed esophageal sphincter. The cause of achalasia is unknown however, there can be degeneration of the muscles of the esophagus and the nerves that control those muscles. Common …show more content…
This herniation of the esophageal mucosa posteriorly in a region of potential weakness (Killian’s Dehiscence) between the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles and cricopharyngeus muscle. This pulsion diverticulum is formed due to stenosis of the cricopharyngeus that causes diminished opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) thus resulting to increased hypopharyngeal pressure during swallowing.
Retention of food elements and secretions within the false diverticulum leads to regurgitation, aspiration, halitosis and dysphagia. Patients may also complain of sensation of food sticking in the throat, unexplained weight loss, and borborygmi in the neck.
Symptoms may last from months to years and the most common life-threatening complication is aspiration. Other complications include, massive bleeding, esophageal obstruction, fistula formation into the trachea, and coexistent hiatal hernia, esophageal spasm esophagogastroduodenal ulceration and achalasia. SCC within a Zenker’s diverticulum is extremely rare
Achalasia refers to a rare disease of the muscle of the lower esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that prevents relaxation of the sphincter and inability of the muscles to contract, or absence of peristalsis, of the esophagus.
LES pressure and relaxation are regulated by excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters however, patients with achalasia lack these nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory ganglion cells thus, causing imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory processes of neurotransmitters resulting to a hypertensive nonrelaxed esophageal sphincter. The cause of achalasia is unknown however, there can be degeneration of the muscles of the esophagus and the nerves that control those muscles. Common …show more content…
This herniation of the esophageal mucosa posteriorly in a region of potential weakness (Killian’s Dehiscence) between the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles and cricopharyngeus muscle. This pulsion diverticulum is formed due to stenosis of the cricopharyngeus that causes diminished opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) thus resulting to increased hypopharyngeal pressure during swallowing.
Retention of food elements and secretions within the false diverticulum leads to regurgitation, aspiration, halitosis and dysphagia. Patients may also complain of sensation of food sticking in the throat, unexplained weight loss, and borborygmi in the neck.
Symptoms may last from months to years and the most common life-threatening complication is aspiration. Other complications include, massive bleeding, esophageal obstruction, fistula formation into the trachea, and coexistent hiatal hernia, esophageal spasm esophagogastroduodenal ulceration and achalasia. SCC within a Zenker’s diverticulum is extremely rare