Esophagoscopy and endoscopic esophageal ultrasound in the assessment of esophageal function

Current management of the gastrointestinal complications of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem autoimmune disorder that involves the gastrointestinal tract in more than 90% of patients. This involvement can extend from the mouth to the anus, with the oesophagus and anorectum most frequently affected. Gut complications result in a plethora of presentations that impair oral intake and faecal continence and, consequently, have an adverse effect on patient quality of life, resulting in referral to gastroenterologists. The cornerstones of gastrointestinal symptom management are to optimize symptom relief and monitor for complications, in particular anaemia and malabsorption. Early intervention in patients who develop these complications is critical to minimize disease progression and improve prognosis. In the future, enhanced therapeutic strategies should be developed, based on an ever-improving understanding of the intestinal pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis. This Review describes the most commonly occurring clinical scenarios of gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis as they present to the gastroenterologist, with recommendations for the suggested assessment protocol and therapy in each situation.

Imaging in the Evaluation of Endoscopic or Surgical Treatment for Achalasia

Purpose. Aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the endoscopic (pneumatic dilation) versus surgical (Heller myotomy) treatment in patients affected by esophageal achalasia using barium X-ray examination of the digestive tract performed before and after the treatment. Materials and Methods. 19 patients (10 males and 9 females) were enrolled in this study; each patient underwent a barium X-ray examination to evaluate the esophageal diameter and the height of the barium column before and after endoscopic or surgical treatment. Results. The mean variation of oesophageal diameter before and after treatment is −2.1 mm for surgery and 1.74 mm for pneumatic dilation (OR 0.167, CI 95% 0.02–1.419, and P: 0.10). The variations of all variables, with the exception of the oesophageal diameter variation, are strongly related to the treatment performed. Conclusions. The barium X-ray study of the digestive tract, performed before and after different treatment approaches, demonstrates that the surgical treatment has to be considered as the treatment of choice of achalasia, reserving endoscopic treatment to patients with high operative risk and refusing surgery.

Systematic review: pathophysiology and management of gastrointestinal dysmotility in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

Gastrointestinal dysmotility in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is prevalent in 90% of patients, increasing morbidity and in some cases mortality. The resultant gastrointestinal complications are usually extensive, involving many regions of the gut from the oesophagus to the anus. Collagen replacement of vascular and enteric smooth muscle results in hypomotility, lumen dilatation, tensile rigidity and eventual loss of organ functions. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of systemic sclerosis-related gastrointestinal dysmotility and available/potential therapeutic options. We evaluated published data on the pathophysiology and management of gastrointestinal dysmotility in systemic sclerosis patients using the MEDLINE database for English and non-English articles from 1966 to July 2005. Based on this systematic review, lifestyle and medical therapy approaches are preferred as they often improve and/or ameliorate symptoms. Surgery is only recommended with serious, rare complications such as bowel perforation or ischaemia. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture-based therapies are well tolerated, with clinical improvement and may be of potential therapeutic benefit for systemic sclerosis gastrointestinal dysmotility. Further elucidation of initiating and persistent mechanisms of systemic sclerosis-related gastrointestinal dysmotility will optimize the development of a multidisciplinary and more directed treatment regimen.