Esophageal motility and symptoms after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is known to cause a variety of motility abnormalities, but the correlation between these changes and symptomatology has not been clearly defined. To assess the effects of endoscopic sclerosis of varices on esophageal function and symptoms, we prospectively studied esophageal motility in 25 patients undergoing sclerotherapy (group I). Thirteen patients underwent studies before and after sclerosis, and 12 patients were studied after completion of therapy. Acid clearance was studied in five patients (group I). Twenty-four of the 25 patients (group I) completed a course of sclerosis without the development of persistent dysphagia. We found that endoscopic sclerotherapy did not significantly alter the velocity of peristalsis or lower esophageal sphincter pressure, amplitude of contraction, or the duration of contraction. Acid clearance was diminished in three of five patients. Four patients who developed an esophageal stricture following sclerotherapy were studied manometrically (group II). Three of these four patients had a manometric pattern characterized by repetitive, nonperistaltic contractions, and all four patients experienced dysphagia which was relieved by bougienage. We conclude that esophageal motility is generally well preserved following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and does not result in a long-lasting disturbance of swallowing. Dysphagia and disordered esophageal motility do occur after sclerotherapy when a sufficient fibrotic response has resulted in an esophageal stricture.