Evaluation of successful treatment in achalasia with timed barium esophagogram: revisiting an old friend

Achalasia is a rare idiopathic, primary esophageal motility disorder. Pharmacologic, endoscopic and surgical methods are used in its treatment. The efficiency of the treatment is generally based on clinical ‘subjective’ criteria. Manometry, which is the gold standard in diagnostic and in treatment monitoring is not always available, it is costly and it needs expertise. The role of timed barium esophagogram in the evaluation of the patients before and after endoscopic dilation will be discussed in the article. This method is standardized, less costly, and has a good correlation with clinical and manometrical results.