Diffuse esophageal spasm in patients with undiagnosed chest pain

Many previous studies have shown diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) to be an infrequent clinical disorder. Over a 15-month period, 122 patients were evaluated by low-compliance pneumohydrolic esophageal manometry. The patients were referred for obscure undiagnosed chest pain. Diffuse esophageal spasm or its variance was found in 22 patients (18%). All patients had chest pain and 77% had associated solid and liquid food dysphagia. Medical therapy included treatment with a combination of anticholinergic medications, short- and long-acting nitrates, mild sedatives, and dietary adjustments. Follow-up clinical evaluation have been obtained in 73% of patients: medical treatment alone has been successful in impressively relieving symptoms in 10 patients, two have benefited from repeat pneumatic dilatations, and one patient has improved after pneumatic dilatation and subsequent Heller myotomy. A combination of accurate clinical history, endoscopy, barium swallow, and esophageal manometry should allow a reliable diagnosis of DES with a good chance of successful medical therapy.