Motor disorders of the esophagus: diagnosis and treatment

Esophageal motor disorders may be clearly primary, as in achalasia or diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), or clearly secondary, as in scleroderma or intrathoracic malignancy. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux, abnormal motility of the esophageal body and stomach, and lower esophageal spasm (LES) appear to predispose patients to reflux. It is possible that esophagitis caused by refluxed gastric material then further impairs motility, propagating the injury. Therapeutically, appropriate use of recently available medications, such as calcium channel blockers and metoclopramide, and new applications of previously available agents, such as hydralazine and bethanechol, have improved our ability to relieve symptoms and at times restore more normal motility.