Therapeutic effects of catheter balloon dilatation therapy for neurogenic cricopharyngeal achalasia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of catheter balloon dilatation on patients with dysphagia caused by neurogenic cricopharyngeal achalasia.Methods Thirty-two patients with dysphagia caused by neurogenic cricopharyngeal achalasia were divided randomly into a treatment group (n =16) and a control group (n =16).The treatment group received catheter balloon dilatation therapy and routine dysphagia rehabilitation training; the control group was treated with routine dysphagia rehabilitation training only.Both groups were tested before treatment,after 3 weeks of treatment (after treatment) and at 6 months after treatment (follow-up).All cases were evaluated using Saitoh's 7-grade swallowing assessment and videofluoroscopy.Results After treatment,5 cases in the treatment group had been cured (31％) and 8 cases showed marked effectiveness (50％) ; in the control group,1 case was cured (7％) and 5 cases showed marked effectiveness (31％).These differences were statistically significant.At follow-up,5 cases in the treatment group had been cured (31％) and 9 cases showed marked effectiveness (56％) ; for the control group,1 case was cured (7％) and 6 cased showed marked effectiveness (38％).Those differences were also statistically significant.After treatment and also at follow-up,the average time for a bolus to pass the pharynx in the treatment group was significantly shorter than that in the control group.Conclusion Catheter balloon dilatation therapy is effective for treating neurogenic cricopharyngeal achalasia in both the short and long term. Key words: Catheter balloon dilatation therapy; Cricopharyngeal achalasia; Dysphagia; Videofluoroscopy ; Swallowing