What is the difference between diffuse esophageal spasm and nutcracker esophagus?

In diffuse esophageal spasm, a large number of esophageal contractions are nonperistaltic; the amplitude of the contractions may be increased, normal or decreased. In nutcracker esophagus, the esophageal contractions are peristaltic but of large amplitude.

What is the opposite of achalasia?

Achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are on opposite ends of the spectrum of lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction. Heartburn is the main symptom of GERD. However, heartburn and regurgitation are frequently observed in patients who have achalasia.

What is the medical term for spasm of the esophagus?

Esophageal spasm means that contractions of the esophagus are irregular, uncoordinated, and sometimes powerful. This condition may be called diffuse esophageal spasm, or DES. These spasms can prevent food from reaching the stomach. When this happens, the food gets stuck in the esophagus.

What is a Zenker?

A Zenker’s diverticulum is an outpouching that occurs at the junction of the lower part of the throat and the upper portion of the esophagus. The pouch forms because the muscle that divides the throat from the esophagus, the cricopharyngeal (CP) muscle, fails to relax during swallowing.

What is diffuse esophageal spasm?

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. During swallowing, it contracts in a coordinated way to move food or liquid to the stomach. Diffuse esophageal spasm causes the esophagus to contract in an uncoordinated way. As a result, what is swallowed is not pushed down into the stomach.

What is it called when your esophagus closes?

Achalasia is a serious condition that affects your esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscular ring that closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If you have achalasia, your LES fails to open up during swallowing, which it’s supposed to do. This leads to a backup of food within your esophagus.

What is Diverticulopexy?

Medical Definition of diverticulopexy : surgical obliteration or fixation of a diverticulum.

What is Zenker diverticulitis?

Is there such a thing as diffuse esophageal spasm?

Diffuse esophageal spasm. Diffuse/distal esophageal spasm (DOS) is a motility disorder of the esophagus. On barium swallow, DOS may appear as a corkscrew or rosary bead esophagus, but this is uncommon. Manometry is the gold-standard diagnostic test. Diffuse esophageal spasm differs from hypercontracting esophagus (“nutcracker esophagus”).

What causes a corkscrew spasm in the esophagus?

Etiology is unknown but may be related to loss of inhibitory neurons in the distal esophagus. <5% will show “corkscrew esophagus” or “rosary bead esophagus” where normal peristalsis is interrupted by many tertiary (non-propulsive) contractions occurring in the distal esophagus

Can a spasm in the esophagus cause heartburn?

Patients may also feel a burning sensation in the center of the chest (heartburn). Diffuse esophageal spasms can be caused by disruptions or damage to the nerves that coordinate the muscles of the esophagus. In some cases, this condition can lead to achalasia. This condition can be diagnosed using: A barium swallow.

How is the esophagus connected to the stomach?

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. During swallowing, it contracts in a coordinated way to move food or liquid to the stomach. Diffuse esophageal spasm causes the esophagus to contract in an uncoordinated way.