Cricopharyngeal muscle hypertrophy: radiologic-anatomic correlation

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• A common cricopharyngeal muscle defect is observed in the pharyngoesophageal region during barium esophagrams.
• There is ongoing debate regarding whether this defect results from neuromuscular dysfunction or cricopharyngeal muscle hypertrophy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the underlying cause of the cricopharyngeal muscle defect observed in barium esophagrams.
• To determine the association between radiologic findings and histologic evidence of cricopharyngeal muscle hypertrophy.

Main Methods:

• A combined radiologic and pathologic study was conducted on 24 unselected autopsy cases.
• Cricopharyngeal hypertrophy was assessed using radiologic criteria and confirmed by histologic examination of muscle thickness.

Main Results:

• Radiologic criteria identified cricopharyngeal hypertrophy in 13 out of 24 cases.
• Histologic examination showed uniformly greater cricopharyngeal muscle thickness in cases with radiologic evidence of hypertrophy compared to normal cases.

Conclusions:

• The cricopharyngeal muscle defect observed on barium esophagrams is frequently associated with actual hypertrophy of the cricopharyngeal muscle.
• This study supports hypertrophy as a significant cause of the observed pharyngoesophageal defect.