DDx: (1)Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES)
1. Uncoordinated contraction of esophagus
2. Barium swallow: multiple spasms with corkscrew appearance
(2)Nutcracker esophagus (another form of spasm)
1. High-amplitude coordinated contraction of esophagus.
2. Barium swallow: Nonspecific finding
(3)Achalasia (Classic achalasia):
1. Loss inhibitory nerves at lower esophageal sphincter with lower esophageal obstruction due to failure of sphincter to completely relax.
2. Usual presence of nonperistaltic isolated contractions or low-amplitude simultaneous contractions of the esophageal body in severer cases.
3. Barium swallow: lower esophageal obstruction with bird-beak and dilatation of proximal esophagus with stasis of barium (air-fluid level).
(4)Vigorous achalasia (VA, described in 1957 as a subset of achalasia or an early stage of classic achalasia):
1. Loss inhibitory nerves at lower esophageal sphincter with lower esophageal obstruction due to failure of sphincter to completely relax.
2. But presence of high-amplitude simultaneous contractions of the esophageal body.
3. Barium swallow: findings combining achalasia and DES.
4. Treatment: similar to classic achalasia.
(5)Esophageal stricture:
1. Acquired narrowing of esophagus caused by a variety of entities.
2. Barium swallow: lumen narrowing with mucosal change.