Therapeutic options in oesophageal dysphagia

Neuroplasticity Elicited by Modified Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation: A Pilot Study

Modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation (mPES) is a novel therapeutic method for patients with neurogenic dysphagia and tracheostomy. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are still unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of mPES on swallowing-related neural networks and involuntary swallowing frequency using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). 20 healthy volunteers participated in this study, including two separate experimental paradigms. Experiment 1: Immediate effect observation, 20 participants (10 female; mean age 47.65 ± 10.48) were delivered with real and sham mPES in random order for 8 repetitions. fNIRS signals were collected during the whole period of Experiments 1. Swallowing frequency was assessed during sham/real mPES. Experiment 2: Prolonged effect observation, 7 out of the 20 participants (4 female; mean age 49.71 ± 6.26) completed real mPES for 5 sessions (1 session/day). 13 of the 20 participants withdrew for personal reasons. Hemodynamic changes were recorded by fNIRS on day 1 and 5. Results show that mPES evoked cortical activation over a distributed network in bilateral primary somatosensory, primary motor, somatosensory association cortex, pre-motor and supplementary motor area, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, Broca's area, and supramarginal gyrus part of Wernicke's area. Meanwhile, the increased frequency of involuntary swallowing was associated with decreased frontopolar activation (frontopolar cortex: Channel 6, p = 0.024, r = -0.529; Channel 23, p = 0.019, r = -0.545). Furthermore, after five days of mPES, decreased cortical activations were observed in the right dorsolateral prefrontal and supramarginal gyrus part of Wernicke's area, and left frontopolar and M1 areas. Overall, these results might suggest that mPES could elicit changes in neuroplasticity that could reorganize the swallowing-related neural network and increase involuntary swallow frequency.

Nonachalasic esophageal motor disorders, from diagnosis to therapy

INTRODUCTION

Investigations conducted using conventional manometry and, recently, using high-resolution manometry (HRM), allowed us to explore the field of esophageal motility and understand the potential link between motor features and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) pathogenesis. The management of patients with nonachalasic esophageal motor disorders is often challenging, due to the clinical heterogeneous presentation and the multifactorial nature of the mechanisms underlying symptoms.

AREAS COVERED

Several studies, carried out using HRM, have better interpreted the esophageal motor function in patients with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO), distal esophageal spasm (DES), hypertensive esophagus, and hypomotility disorders. Moreover, HRM studies have shown a direct correlation between reduced esophageal motility, disruption of the esophagogastric junction, and gastroesophageal reflux burden.

EXPERT OPINION

Pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of nonachalasic esophageal motor disorders still represent a challenging area, requiring future evaluation by multicenter outcome studies carried out in a large cohort of patients and asymptomatic subjects. However, we believe that an accurate clinical, endoscopic, and HRM evaluation is, nowadays, helpful in addressing patients with nonachalasic esophageal motor disorders to optimal treatment options.

Advanced achalasia: good candidate for peroral endoscopic myotomy

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been increasingly accepted as the first-line treatment of achalasia. However, laparoscopic Heller myotomy or esophagectomy still remains as the mainstay treatment for advanced achalasia featured with megaesophagus and/or sigmoid-shaped esophagus. Although the efficacy of POEM for advanced achalasia with sigmoid-shaped esophagus has been described, little is known about the role of POEM for patients with megaesophagus. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of POEM for advanced achalasia with megaesophagus. Patients who received initial examinations and underwent POEM in our hospital from June 2013 to December 2018 were identified and data were retrospectively analyzed. The advanced achalasia was defined as megaesophagus with a diameter of ≥6 cm. The primary outcome was clinical success. The secondary outcomes were technical success and adverse events. A total of 112 patients (50 females, 44.6%) were included with a mean age of 44.8 years. The median symptom duration was 6.5 years (IQR:3.0-13.0 years). Modified POEM techniques were used in 27.7% (31/112) of patients. Technical success rate was 99.1% (112/113) per procedure. Clinical success was seen in 93.1% patients with median Eckardt score decreasing from 8.0 to 1.0 (P < 0.001) during a median 31.0 months of follow-up. The mean LES pressure decreased from 29.5 mmHg to 14.2 mmHg after POEM (P < 0.05). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 8.9% patients. Reflux disease was observed postoperatively in 26.7% of patients. POEM is also indicated for patients with advanced achalasia with a favorable safety and efficacy.

Hypercontractile Esophagus From Pathophysiology to Management: Proceedings of the Pisa Symposium

Hypercontractile esophagus (HE) is a heterogeneous major motility disorder diagnosed when ≥20% hypercontractile peristaltic sequences (distal contractile integral >8,000 mm Hg*s*cm) are present within the context of normal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation (integrated relaxation pressure < upper limit of normal) on esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM). HE can manifest with dysphagia and chest pain, with unclear mechanisms of symptom generation. The pathophysiology of HE may entail an excessive cholinergic drive with temporal asynchrony of circular and longitudinal muscle contractions; provocative testing during HRM has also demonstrated abnormal inhibition. Hypercontractility can be limited to the esophageal body or can include the LES; rarely, the process is limited to the LES. Hypercontractility can sometimes be associated with esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction and increased muscle thickness. Provocative tests during HRM can increase detection of HE, reproduce symptoms, and predict delayed esophageal emptying. Regarding therapy, an empiric trial of a proton pump inhibitor, should be first considered, given the overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors have been used to reduce contraction vigor but with suboptimal symptomatic response. Endoscopic treatment with botulinum toxin injection or pneumatic dilation is associated with variable response. Per-oral endoscopic myotomy may be superior to laparoscopic Heller myotomy in relieving dysphagia, but available data are scant. The presence of EGJ outflow obstruction in HE discriminates a subset of patients who may benefit from endoscopic treatment targeting the EGJ.

Is Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy a Potential Therapy for Esophageal Absent Contractility?

AIM

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is recommended for the endoscopic treatment of achalasia and esophageal junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO); however, absent contractility, a subtype of peristalsis disorders classified by the Chicago Classification of esophageal motility v3.0, has no effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of POEM in absent contractility, in the part of the patients presents with dysphagia.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective study at a tertiary referral center. We included 30 patients who mainly complain with dysphagia, and they underwent POEM from January 2013 to December 2018. The data of high-resolution esophageal manometry was collected before and after POEM. They were divided into 3 groups: EGJOO, Achalasia, and Absent contractility according to the Chicago Classification of esophageal motility v3.0 before POEM. Telephone follow-up was made in February 2019 to obtain Eckardt scores and weight changes.

RESULTS

We found that both Eckardt scores and integrated relaxation pressure decreased post-POEM in the 3 groups (P<0.05). Eckardt score was significantly lower in the EGJOO group than in the Absent contractility group (P=0.004) post-POEM. The difference of Eckardt Score was higher in the EGJOO group (P=0.010) and the Achalasia group (P=0.007) than in the Absent contractility group, as was weight gain (P=0.023; P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that POEM is an effective endoscopic procedure for patients with EGJOO and achalasia. Furthermore, POEM can significantly improve symptoms in patients with absent contractility, although less so than for the other 2 groups. POEM is a potential therapy for absent contractility patients presenting with dysphagia.

Gastrointestinal Uses of Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum toxin (BT), one of the most powerful inhibitors that prevents the release of acetylcholine from nerve endings, represents an alternative therapeutic approach for "spastic" disorders of the gastrointestinal tract such as achalasia, gastroparesis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, chronic anal fissures, and pelvic floor dyssynergia.BT has proven to be safe and this allows it to be a valid alternative in patients at high risk of invasive procedures but long-term efficacy in many disorders has not been observed, primarily due to its relatively short duration of action. Administration of BT has a low rate of adverse reactions and complications. However, not all patients respond to BT therapy, and large randomized controlled trials are lacking for many conditions commonly treated with BT.The local injection of BT in some conditions becomes a useful tool to decide to switch to more invasive therapies. Since 1980, the toxin has rapidly transformed from lethal poison to a safe therapeutic agent, with a significant impact on the quality of life.

Esophageal Dysphagia in the Elderly

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With a globally aging population, dysphagia is a growing health concern among elderly. Increasing reflux disease has contributed to an increased prevalence of dysphagia from peptic strictures and esophageal cancer. Dysphagia can lead to malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. This review article focuses on recent advances in the approach and management of esophageal dysphagia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe is a novel test that complements upper endoscopy, esophagram, and esophageal manometry for evaluation of esophageal dysphagia. Opioid induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED) is an emerging clinical entity that can mimic achalasia. Strictures refractory to dilation can be treated with intralesional steroid injections, electrosurgical incision, or esophageal stents. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is gaining in popularity for treatment of achalasia and other spastic disorders of esophagus. Treatment of esophageal dysphagia may include proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic dilation, or surgery and requires a personalized approach based on risks and benefits. POEM is a valuable therapy for achalasia, but further studies are needed to evaluate its use, and other alternatives, for treatment of OIED and spastic esophageal disorders.

An Update on Current Management Strategies for Achalasia and Future Perspectives

The last decade has seen growing insight into the pathophysiology of achalasia, and current treatments decreasing the resting pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter by endoscopic (botulinum toxin injection, pneumatic dilation, peroral endoscopic myotomy) or surgical means (Heller myotomy). Manometry is considered the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis of achalasia. Pneumatic dilation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy have similar effectiveness and are both more successful in patients with type II achalasia. Laparoscopic myotomy when combined with partial fundoplication is an effective surgical technique and has been considered the operative procedure of choice until recently. Peroral endoscopic myotomy is an emerging therapy with promising results since it offers a minimally invasive and efficacious option especially in type III achalasia. However, it remains to be determined if peroral endoscopic myotomy offers long-term efficacy.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia and other esophageal motor disorders: Short-term and medium-term results at a Mexican tertiary care center

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Achalasia is characterized by the absence of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and esophageal aperistalsis. Diagnosis is confirmed through high-resolution esophageal manometry. Laparoscopic myotomy is the standard treatment, but peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a safe and effective alternative, with good short-term and medium-term results. Our aim was to describe the short-term and medium-term experience with POEM at a tertiary care center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted within the time frame of November 2014 and February 2017. Treatment-naïve achalasia patients and previously-treated achalasia patients that were candidates for POEM were included. A protocolized 24-month follow-up was carried out.

RESULTS

Fifty procedures were included and 31 (68%) were performed on women. Forty-one (82%) of the procedures were carried out on previously untreated patients, 7 (14%) were performed on previously treated patients, and 2 (4%) of the patients had redo-POEM. The mean age of the patients was 48.8±14.1 years. The pre-POEM Eckardt score was 9 and the integrated relaxation pressure was 24.4mmHg. Sixty-eight percent of the patients had type ii achalasia. Procedure time was 80min and myotomy length was 12.6cm. Hospital stay was 3 days and subcutaneous emphysema was the most common adverse event (30%). A total of 22/50 (44%) patients reached the 24-month follow-up, maintaining the Eckardt score and the decrease in the integrated relaxation pressure. There were no deaths. A total of 47.5% of the patients had a positive pH-study at 6 months, 15% had clinical reflux, and 35% presented with mild esophagitis. All the patients were adequately controlled with proton pump inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

POEM is safe and effective in the short term and medium term for the treatment of achalasia and other esophageal motor disorders in Mexican patients.

Outcome of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for Treating Achalasia Compared With Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy (LHM)

OBJECTIVE

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an emerging endoscopic treatment for achalasia and the long-term efficacy of POEM remains to be evaluated. This study compared the outcomes of POEM with that of the standard laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) for achalasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Achalasia patients treated by POEM or LHM were retrospectively analyzed, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 3 years. Perioperative outcomes and long-term outcomes including treatment success (Eckardt score ≤3), occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (GerdQ score ≥9) and quality of life (36-item short form) were compared.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients who underwent POEM were compared with 18 patients who received LHM. These patients were similar in age, sex, symptoms duration, Eckardt score, and previous therapy (all P>0.05). Mean myotomy lengths were similar (P=0.73). Operation time was shorter in the POEM group (P=0.001). One patient (7.7%) developed pneumothorax after POEM and 1 patient (5.6%) experienced postoperative infection after LHM (P=1.00). Treatment success was achieved in 83.3% (9/12) of POEM patients and 80.0% (12/15) of LHM patients (P=1.00). Both POEM and LHM significantly reduced Eckardt score (both P=0.00). GERD rate was similar (8.3% vs. 6.7%, P=1.00). There was no difference in all aspects of quality of life between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term outcomes indicate that POEM is an effective treatment that is comparable with LHM. More data of randomized trials comparing POEM with LHM will enrich the existing evidence.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treating esophageal motility disorders

Pneumatic dilatation and Heller myotomy have been thoroughly studied as the most viable treatment options for achalasia. The pendulum, however, is shifting to the minimally invasive approach. Since Inoue et al. published the experience of the first 17 cases of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in 2010, there have been at least 5,000 cases performed worldwide and the number is increasing exponentially. Experts across the globe have been extending the indications to various esophageal motility disorders, to patients of extremes of age, sigmoidal esophagus and re-operated patients. There are a few variations in technique across different centers in defining the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and adequacy of myotomy, the optimal length, site of myotomy and whether the full thickness of the muscle wall should be cut. Large case series demonstrated its promising efficacy & reasonable complication profile. Randomized controlled trial in comparison with the gold standard, Heller myotomy, is ongoing. The future application of submucosal tunnelling technique is thrilling with its extension in tumour resection, antropyloromyotomy and other natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

Management of refractory typical GERD symptoms

The management of patients with refractory GERD (rGERD) is a major clinical challenge for gastroenterologists. In up to 30% of patients with typical GERD symptoms (heartburn and/or regurgitation), acid-suppressive therapy does not provide clinical benefit. In this Review, we discuss the current management algorithm for GERD and the features and management of patients who do not respond to treatment (such as those individuals with an incorrect diagnosis of GERD, inadequate PPI intake, persisting acid reflux and persisting weakly acidic reflux). Symptom response to existing surgical techniques, novel antireflux procedures, and the value of add-on medical therapies (including prokinetics and reflux inhibitors) for rGERD symptoms are discussed. Pharmaceutical agents targeting oesophageal sensitivity, a condition that can contribute to symptom generation in rGERD, are also discussed. Finally, on the basis of available published data and our expert opinion, we present an outline of a current, usable algorithm for management of patients with rGERD that considers the timing and diagnostic use of pH-impedance monitoring on or off PPI, additional diagnostic tests, the clinical use of baclofen and the use of add-on neuromodulators (tricyclic agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Treatment of gastrointestinal sphincters spasms with botulinum toxin A

Botulinum toxin A inhibits neuromuscular transmission. It has become a drug with many indications. The range of clinical applications has grown to encompass several neurological and non-neurological conditions. One of the most recent achievements in the field is the observation that botulinum toxin A provides benefit in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Although toxin blocks cholinergic nerve endings in the autonomic nervous system, it has also been shown that it does not block non-adrenergic non-cholinergic responses mediated by nitric oxide. This has promoted further interest in using botulinum toxin A as a treatment for overactive smooth muscles and sphincters. The introduction of this therapy has made the treatment of several clinical conditions easier, in the outpatient setting, at a lower cost and without permanent complications. This review presents current data on the use of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.