Internal medicine

Pathology

Myenteric plexus

Heller myotomy

Esophagus

Gastroenterology

Surgery

Immunohistochemistry

Myotomy

Peristalsis

Botulinum toxin

Guideline

Endoscopy

High resolution manometry

Achalasia

Esophageal motility disorder

Medicine

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motor disorder of unknown etiology characterized by degeneration of the myenteric plexus, which results in impaired relaxation of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), along with the loss of organized peristalsis in the esophageal body. The criterion standard for diagnosing achalasia is high-resolution esophageal manometry showing incomplete relaxation of the EGJ coupled with the absence of organized peristalsis. Three achalasia subtypes have been defined based on high-resolution manometry findings in the esophageal body.

ASGE guideline on the management of achalasia