DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY OF ACHALASIA

Achalasia is a motility failure of the esophagus. Pathogenetically it is based on the destruction of mainly inhibitory neurons in the myente ric plexus of the tubular and sphincteric part of the esophagus. To di stinguish the primary achalasia from secondary manifestations, mainly in malignomas, is of differential-diagnostical interest. For therapy t he proved methods of pneumatic dilatation and esophagomyotomy are avai lable. Starting from this therapeutic spectrum and the more recent cur ative method of intrasphincteric injection of botulismotoxin optimized therapeutic strategies for the achalasia-patient will have to be work ed out.