Study on intraluminal pressure of the esophagus and its clinical application

Abstract

Subjects of the present investigation, are 66 cases who were free from upper gastrointestinal diseases and 12 cases with achalasia. Intraluminal pressure of the esophagus was measured with the use of an open-tip method.Presence of W-shape pattern with three high pressure zones and two low pressure zones were verified. On the basis of this W-shape pattern, an analysis was made of the resting pressure of the esophagus in 12 cases with achalasia. The results led to classify into four types. These are; disappearance of the W-shape pattern with the lowest resting pressure above 5 cm H2O (Type 1), same as the above except for the lowest pressure below 5 cm H2O (Type II), presence of W-shape pattern with the lowest resting pressure above 5 cm H2O (Type III) and same as the above except for the lowest resting pressure below 5 cm H2O (Type IV). Analytical data of the achalasia cases relatively well correlated with clinical findings and clarified significance of the pressure study for diagnosis and judgment of symptomatic severity.In analysis of deglutition pressure waves, it seems convenient to locate a point of pressure measurement in view of three high pressure zones and two low pressure zones.