Rhythmic contraction but arrhythmic distension of esophageal peristaltic reflex in patients with dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Reason for dysphagia in a significant number of patients remains unclear even after a thorough workup. Each swallow induces esophageal distension followed by contraction of the esophagus, both of which move sequentially along the esophagus. Manometry technique and current system of classifying esophageal motility disorders (Chicago Classification) is based on the analysis of the contraction phase of peristalsis. GOAL: Whether patients with unexplained dysphagia have abnormalities in the distension phase of esophageal peristalsis is not known. METHODS: Using Multiple Intraluminal esophageal impedance recordings, which allow determination of the luminal cross-sectional area during peristalsis, we studied patients with nutcracker esophagus (NC), esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO), and functional dysphagia (FD). RESULTS: Distension contraction plots revealed that swallowed bolus travels significantly faster through the esophagus in all patient groups as compared to normals. The luminal cross-sectional area (amplitude of distension), and the area under the curve of distension were significantly smaller in patients with NC, EGJOO, and FD as compared to normals. Bolus traverses the esophagus in the shape of an “American Football” in normal subjects. On the other hand, in patients the bolus flow was fragmented. ROC curves revealed that bolus flow abnormalities during peristalsis are a sensitive and specific marker of dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal abnormality in the distension phase of peristalsis (a narrow lumen esophagus) in patients with dysphagia. We propose that the esophageal contraction forcing the swallowed bolus through a narrow lumen esophagus is the cause of dysphagia sensation in patients with normal contraction phase of peristalsis.