Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia
Published on: August 11, 2023
Variant achalasia, the hole of the original classification
Joon Young Huh1, Moo In Park, Seun Ja Park
1Kosin University Graduate School, Busan, Republic of Korea. mipark@ns.kosinmed.or.kr.
Insights
The updated Chicago Classification system effectively diagnoses esophageal motility disorders. This system reclassifies previously unclassifiable high-resolution manometry findings, aiding in patient diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Esophageal Physiology
- Diagnostic Tools
Background:
- High-resolution manometry (HRM) is crucial for diagnosing esophageal motility disorders.
- Some HRM findings remain unclassifiable by existing systems.
- A revised Chicago Classification system has been introduced.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of the updated Chicago Classification system.
- To determine if previously unclassifiable HRM findings can now be categorized.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 150 HRM studies (2008-2010).
- Identification and re-categorization of originally unclassified cases.
- Application of the updated Chicago Classification system.
Main Results:
- 37 out of 150 patients had initially unclassified HRM results.
- No significant differences in age or sex between classified and unclassified groups.
- All previously unclassified patients were diagnosed with variant achalasia under the updated system.
Conclusions:
- The updated Chicago Classification system successfully categorizes previously unclassifiable esophageal motility disorder findings.
- This advancement improves diagnostic accuracy for complex esophageal motility patterns.
Background/Aims:
High-resolution manometry (HRM) is a useful tool for classifying esophageal motility disorders. However, there remain findings that cannot be classified in clinical fields. Recently, an updated classification system was announced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether originally unclassifiable groups can now be classified according to the updated Chicago Classification system.
Materials And Methods:
We reviewed the results of HRM studies performed from January 2008 to December 2010 on 150 consecutive patients (75 men, age 17-76) referred to the Gospel Hospital manometry laboratory for evaluation. We found originally unclassified results and re-categorized them according to the updated Chicago Classification system.
Results:
Thirty-seven of 150 patients were originally unclassified cases. Patients from the unclassified and classified groups had similar distributions of age and sex. All unclassified patients were re-diagnosed as having variant achalasia according to the updated Chicago Classification system.
Conclusion:
The updated Chicago Classification can categorize originally unclassified groups of esophageal motility disorder.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Angina II: Classification
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+....
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease I: Meaning and Pathophysiology

