Chest pain of esophageal origin

Chest pain of esophageal origin or noncardiac chest pain is reported by at least a fifth of the general population. Recent literature focused on further understanding mechanisms of chest pain in subset of patients with functional chest pain of presumed esophageal origin. Studies have demonstrated concurrent visceral and somatic pain hypersensitivity, and amplified secondary allodynia, in patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), suggesting central sensitization. Other studies have demonstrated abnormal cerebral processing of intraesophageal stimuli. However, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has remained the most common esophageal cause of NCCP. The introduction of the proton pump inhibitor test, a highly sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic strategy, simplified our diagnostic approach toward patients with GERD-related NCCP. For patients with positive proton-pump-inhibitor test results, long-term treatment with antireflux medication is warranted. For patients with non-GERD-related NCCP, pain modulators remain the cornerstone of therapy.