ASSOCIATION OF MIDOESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULA WITH ESOPHAGEAL MOTOR DISORDERS - VIDEOFLUOROSCOPY AND MANOMETRY

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of assoc iated oesophageal motor disorders in patients with midoesophageal dive rticula. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed videofluoro scopic and, if available, manometric studies of 30 patients with midoe sophageal diverticula. The type of diverticulum and the presence and n ature of oesophageal motor disorders were assessed. Results: Videofluo roscopy showed that 24 patients had 26 pulsion-type diverticula and 6 patients had 7 traction-type diverticula. Oesophageal motor disorders were demonstrated in 22 of the 24 patients with pulsion-type diverticu la and in 3 of the 6 with traction-type diverticula. Nineteen patients had nonspecific motor disorders. 5 had achalasia, and 5 had gastrooes ophageal reflux or oesophagitis. Conclusion: Midoesophageal diverticul a are most often of the pulsion-type and lend to be associated with an oesophageal motor disorder. Motor disorders are predominantly nonspec ific, but achalasia may be encountered as well.