Esophageal motility disorders (distal esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus, and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter): modern management

Exploring the relaxation effects of Coptis chinensis and berberine on the lower esophageal sphincter: potential strategies for LES motility disorders

BACKGROUND

Esophageal achalasia, a primary disorder impacting the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), presents symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. Traditional treatments, including calcium channel blockers and nitrates, offer limited relief, prompting exploration into alternative therapies. This study examines the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), focusing on Coptis chinensis (C. chinensis) and its principal component, berberine, for modulating LES relaxation, offering a new perspective on treatment possibilities.

METHODS

This research evaluated the impact of C. chinensis extract and berberine on the relaxation of LES contraction pre-induced by carbachol, observing the effects across different concentrations. We employed a series of inhibitors, including tetrodotoxin, ω-conotoxin GVIA, rolipram, vardenafil, KT5823, KT5720, NG-nitro-L-arginine, tetraethylammonium (TEA), apamine, iberiotoxin, and glibenclamide, to investigate the underlying mechanisms of berberine-induced LES relaxation.

RESULTS

Both C. chinensis extract and berberine induced significant, concentration-dependent relaxation of the LES. The relaxation effect of berberine was significantly reduced by TEA, indicating the involvement of potassium channels in this process.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that C. chinensis and berberine significantly promote LES relaxation, primarily through potassium channel activation. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of these compounds' potential therapeutic applications in esophageal motility disorders, such as achalasia.

Swallowing disorders following free jejunal flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal defect: Does Botox help?

OBJECTIVES

Free jejunal flap for circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction is associated with late-onset dysphagia, regurgitation and prolonged transit time. This study aims to assess the feasibility and efficacy of Botulinum toxin A (Botox) in alleviating such swallowing dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six consecutive patients underwent free jejunal flap for circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction between January 2012 and December 2018. Outcomes were compared at 6, 12 and 24 months.

RESULTS

In the non-Botox group (n = 13), video-fluoroscopic and manometry studies demonstrated asynchronous contractions and retrograde propulsion. All patients complained of nasal regurgitation on thin fluids at 6, 12 and 24 months. Bolus residue accumulation along jejunal mucosal folds resulted in prolonged transit time. In the Botox group (n = 13), amplitude of asynchronous contractions were lower: 25.4 mmHg vs. 52.1 mmHg (p = 0.037) for thin fluids at 12 months. Three patients complained of nasal regurgitation on thin fluids at 6 months. All 3 were asymptomatic at 12 months. Transit time was shortened overall. Functional Oral Intake Scale was higher. MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory global (72.5% vs 45.7%, p = 0.003) and functional (62.0% vs 40.6%, p = 0.012) subscales were significantly improved at 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Botox safely and effectively alleviates swallowing dysfunction associated with free jejunal flap for circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction.

An Involuntary and Unexpected Treatment of Nutcracker Esophagus

A 76-year-old woman complained of painful dysphagia and loss of weight. Esophagoscopy results were negative, whereas computed tomography (CT) disclosed a 25-mm mediastinal tumor without a connection to the esophagus. A diagnosis of nutcracker esophagus was made on high-resolution esophageal manometry. Peroral endoscopic esophageal myotomy failed to improve the symptoms. Right video thoracoscopy allowed resection of the tumor, which looked like a neurogenic tumor of the posterior mediastinum that developed from the right vagus nerve. The patient's dysphagia dramatically improved postoperatively. Because the pathologic examination disclosed a benign solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura, we hypothesize that the motility disorder would have been resolved by the unilateral vagotomy.

Esophageal hypermotility: cause or effect?

Nutcracker esophagus (NE), Jackhammer esophagus (JHE), distal esophageal spasm (DES), and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (HTLES) are defined by esophageal manometric findings. Some patients with these esophageal motility disorders also have abnormal gastroesophageal reflux. It is unclear to what extent these patients' symptoms are caused by the motility disorder, the acid reflux, or both. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) on esophageal motility disorders, gastroesophageal reflux, and patient symptoms. Between 2007 and 2013, we performed high-resolution esophageal manometry on 3400 patients, and 221 patients were found to have a spastic esophageal motility disorder. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to determine the manometric abnormality, presence of gastroesophageal symptoms, and amount of esophageal acid exposure. In those patients that underwent LNF, we compared pre- and postoperative esophageal motility, gastroesophageal symptom severity, and esophageal acid exposure. Of the 221 patients with spastic motility disorders, 77 had NE, 2 had JHE, 30 had DES, and 112 had HTLES. The most frequently reported primary and secondary symptoms among all patients were: heartburn and/or regurgitation, 69.2%; respiratory, 39.8%; dysphagia, 35.7%; and chest pain, 22.6%. Of the 221 patients, 192 underwent 24-hour pH monitoring, and 103 demonstrated abnormal distal esophageal acid exposure. Abnormal 24-hour pH monitoring was detected in 62% of patients with heartburn and regurgitation, 49% of patients with respiratory symptoms, 36.8 % of patients with dysphagia, and 32.6% of patients with chest pain. Sixty-six of the 103 patients with abnormal 24-hour pH monitoring underwent LNF. Thirty-eight (13NE, 2JHE, 6 DES, and 17 HTLES) of these 66 patients had a minimum of 6-month postoperative follow-up that included clinical evaluation, esophageal manometry, and 24-hour pH monitoring. Postoperatively, all 38 patients had normal distal esophageal acid exposure. Of these 38 patients, symptoms resolved in 28 and improved in 10. Of six patients (one with NE, two JHE, and three with HTLES) that underwent postoperative esophageal manometry, five exhibited normal motility. Typical reflux symptoms are common among patients with esophageal hypermotility disorders. Abnormal 24-hour pH monitoring is present in the majority of patients with who report typical reflux symptoms and almost half of patients who report respiratory symptoms. Conversely, the majority of patients who report dysphagia or chest pain have normal distal esophageal acid exposure. Based on a small number of patients in this study, it also appears that motility disorders often improve after LNF. LNF is associated with resolution or improvement in reflux related symptoms and esophageal motility parameters in patients exhibiting abnormal esophageal acid exposure. This suggests that patient symptoms are due to abnormal acid exposure and not the motility disorder.

Tissue engineering for neuromuscular disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

The digestive tract is designed for the optimal processing of food that nourishes all organ systems. The esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon are sophisticated neuromuscular tubes with specialized sphincters that transport ingested food-stuffs from one region to another. Peristaltic contractions move ingested solids and liquids from the esophagus into the stomach; the stomach mixes the ingested nutrients into chyme and empties chyme from the stomach into the duodenum. The to-and-fro movement of the small bowel maximizes absorption of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Peristaltic contractions are necessary for colon function and defecation.

Diffuse esophageal spasm: has the term lost its relevance? Analysis of 217 cases

Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) has been reported as a potential cause of dysphagia or chest pain; however, the patho-physiology of DES is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the manometric correlates of dysphagia and chest pain in this patient population. All patients undergoing manometry at our institution are entered into a prospectively maintained database. After institutional review board approval, the database was queried to identify patients meeting criteria for DES (≥20% simultaneous waves with greater than 30 mm Hg pressure in the distal esophagus). The patient-reported symptoms and manometric data, along with the results of a 24-hour pH study (if done), were extracted for further analysis. Out of 4923 patients, 240 (4.9%) met the manometric criteria for DES. Of these, 217 patients had complete manometry data along with at least one reported symptom. Of the patients with DES, 159 (73.3%) had dysphagia or chest pain as a reported symptom. Patients reporting either dysphagia or chest pain had significantly higher lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure than patients without these symptoms (P= 0.007). Significant association was noted between reported dysphagia and percentage of simultaneous waves. Chest pain did not correlate with percent of simultaneous waves, mean amplitude of peristalsis, or 24-hour pH score. The origin of reported chest pain in patients with DES is not clear but may be related to higher LES pressure. Simultaneous waves were associated with reported dysphagia. Using current diagnostic criteria, the term DES has no clinical relevance.

A case of symptomatic diffuse esophageal spasm during multiple rapid swallowing test on high-resolution manometry

Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) is an uncommon motility disorder of unknown etiology in which the abnormal motility has been offered as a possible cause for the patient's dysphagia or chest pain. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of DES and the diagnostic hallmark is identification of simultaneous contractions in at least 20% of wet swallows, alternating with normal peristalsis. Recently, a new diagnostic technique, high-resolution manometry has been reported to improve the accuracy and detail in describing esophageal function. We report a female patient with intermittent dysphagia and chest pain occurring only when swallowing a large amount of water. On HRM, this patient had esophageal spasms, increased pressurization front velocity attributable to rapid contractile wave front, associated with symptoms, which were provoked by a multiple rapid swallowing test, and thereby was diagnosed with DES.

Relationship between manometric findings and reported symptoms in nutcracker esophagus: insights gained from a review of 313 patients

BACKGROUND

Nutcracker esophagus (NE) is a well-described esophageal motility disorder often implicated as the cause of chest pain (CP). The aim of this study was to analyze the role of peristaltic amplitude, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and 24 h pH scores in patient symptomatology.

METHODS

After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective review of manometric data from 1984 to 2008 at the esophageal center was done to identify patients meeting NE criteria (mean distal esophageal body amplitude of >180 mmHg). The data for patient's symptoms, manometric findings including the amplitude of the distal two esophageal body peristalses, LES pressure, and 24 h pH score were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

Out of 4,923 patients, 313 (6.4%) patients met the manometric criteria for NE, and of these, 298 patients had complete manometry data along with at least 1 reported symptom. CP was associated with LES competence, with a significantly higher percentage of patients with high LES pressure complaining of CP (p < 0.05). There was no relationship of with the mean amplitude of esophageal body pressure (p > 0.05) or with distal esophageal acid exposure (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CP is a commonly reported symptom in patients with manometry findings of NE. However, CP is related to LES competence rather than the amplitude of the esophageal body waves or 24 h pH monitoring scores.

Adverse effects of drugs on the esophagus

Given the function of the esophagus to transport orally ingested solids and liquids into the stomach there are several medications with adverse effect on esophageal structures and function. Various pharmacologic agents can induce esophageal injury, promote gastroesophageal reflux by decreasing lower esophageal sphincter tone or affect esophageal perception and motility. The risks of bisphosphonates, doxycycline, ferrous sulfate, ascorbic acid, aspirin/NSAIDs and chemotherapeutic agents to induce esophageal lesions have been documented in case reports and short series. In addition to direct mucosal injury, many commonly used medications including nitroglycerins, anticholinergics, beta-adrenergic agonists, aminophyllines, and benzodiazepines promote/facilitate gastroesophageal reflux by reducing lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Additional evidence accumulates on the adverse effects of various medications on esophageal motility and perception. The treatment of medication-induced esophageal lesions includes (1) identifying and discontinuing the causative medication, (2) promoting healing of esophageal injury by decreasing esophageal acid exposure or coating already existing esophageal lesions, (3) eventual use of protective compounds.

Discrete responses of myenteric neurons to structural and functional damage by neurotoxins in vitro

Damage to the enteric nervous system is implicated in human disease and animal models of inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, but the mechanism of death and the response of surviving neurons are poorly understood. We explored this in a coculture model of myenteric neurons, glia, and smooth muscle during exposure to the established or potential neurotoxins botulinum A, hydrogen peroxide, and acrylamide. Neuronal survival, axonal degeneration and regeneration, and neurotransmitter release were assessed during acute exposure (0-24 h) to neurotoxin and subsequent recovery (96-144 h). Unique and selective responses to each neurotoxin were found with acrylamide (0.5-2.0 mM) causing a 30% decrease in axon number without neuronal loss, whereas hydrogen peroxide (1-200 microM) caused a parallel loss in both axon and neuron number. Immunoblotting identified the loss of synaptic vesicle proteins that paralleled axon damage and was associated with marked suppression of depolarization-induced release of acetylcholine (ACh). The caspase inhibitor zVAD, but not DEVD, significantly prevented neuronal death, implying a largely caspase-3/7-independent mechanism of apoptotic death that was supported by staining for annexin V and cleaved caspase-3. In contrast, botulinum A (2 microg/ml) caused a 40% decrease in ACh release without effect on neuronal survival or axon structure. By 96 h after exposure to acrylamide or hydrogen peroxide, axon number was restored to or even surpassed the level of time-matched controls, regardless of partial neuronal loss, but ACh release remained markedly suppressed. Neural responses to toxic factors are initially unique but then converge upon robust axonal regeneration, whereas neurotransmitter release is both vulnerable to damage and slow to recover.

Spasm, nutcracker, and IEM: real or manometry findings?

In 1987, Richter and colleagues published the results of an esophageal motility study conducted on 95 normal healthy volunteers between the ages of 22 and 79. In accordance with these results, abnormal esophageal motility was defined on the basis of the percentage of manometric normal, ineffective, and simultaneous swallows and on lower esophageal sphincter dynamics during liquid swallows. For example, Richter and colleagues found that the mean amplitude of contraction in the distal body of the esophagus >180 mm Hg in association with wet swallows was above the 95% confidence interval of normal. Richter's study also showed a wide variation among individuals and that the mean distal esophageal contractile amplitude increased with age without sex predominance. Likewise, as no subjects had >20% simultaneous contractions (though a considerable number, 4%, had 10% simultaneous contractions), esophageal spasm was defined at the >20% mark.