Spectrum of esophageal motility disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis

Disorders of esophageal motility have been described in patients with cirrhosis in a small number of studies. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the available evidence on esophageal motility disorders in cirrhosis and their clinical implications. This review delves into the following concepts: (1) Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in liver cirrhosis due to many mechanisms; however, when symptomatic it is usually nocturnal and has an atypical presentation; (2) Endoscopic band ligation is better than sclerotherapy in terms of its effect on esophageal motility and seems to correct dysmotilities resulting from the mechanical effect of esophageal varices; (3) Chronic alcoholism has no major effects on esophageal motility activity other than lower esophageal sphincter hypertension among those with alcoholic autonomic neuropathy; (4) An association between primary biliary cholangitis and scleroderma can be present and esophageal hypomotility is not uncommon in this scenario; and (5) Cyclosporin-based immunosuppression in liver transplant patients can have a neurotoxic effect on the esophageal myenteric plexus leading to reversible achalasia-like manifestations.