Classification of oesophageal motility abnormalities

Manometric examination of the oesophagus frequently reveals abnormalities w hose cause is unknown and whose physiological importance is not clear. A la rge body of literature dealing with oesophageal motility abnormalities has evolved over the past few decades but comparisons among studies have been c ompromised by the lack of a widely accepted system for classifying the abno rmal motility patterns, and by the lack of uniform diagnostic criteria for the putative disorders. Based on an extensive review and analysis of the li terature, this report suggests an operational scheme to be used for the gen eral classification of oesophageal motility abnormalities, and proposes sta ndardised manometric criteria for the putative oesophageal motility disorde rs. By applying the guidelines proposed in this report, clinicians and rese archers can determine if their patients fulfil the manometric criteria for a putative motility disorder. This should facilitate and improve comparison s among patients and studies. However, it is important to emphasise that fu lfilment of the proposed criteria does not establish the clinical importanc e of the motility abnormalities.