Guidelines Clinical Practice
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2009; 15(2): 131-138
Published online Jan 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.131
Table 1 Classification of individual swallows based on pressure topography criteria
ClassificationCriteria
EGJ Deglutitive Relaxation (referenced to gastric pressure)
Normal relaxation4 s Integrated Relaxation Pressure (IRP) < 15 mmHg
Impaired relaxation4 s IRP >= 15 mmHg
Distal Segment Contraction (referenced to gastric pressure)
Normal<= 2 cm defect in the 30 mmHg isobaric contour, Contractile Front Velocity (CFV) < 8 cm/s, Intrabolus Pressure (IBP) < 15 mmHg, and Distal Contractile Integral (DCI) < 5000 mmHg × s × cm
Mild peristaltic defectNormal appearing wavefront propagation with a 2-5 cm defect in the 30 mmHg isobaric contour
Severe peristaltic defectEvidence of wavefront propagation with a >= 5 cm defect in the 30 mmHg isobaric contour
Absent peristalsisNo propagating contractile wavefront and minimal (< 3 cm) contractile activity or pressurization greater than the 30 mmHg IBC
NutcrackerDCI > 5000 and < 8000 mmHg × s × cm
Spastic nutcrackerDCI > 8000 mmHg × s × cm
SpasmSimultaneous contraction (CFV > 7.5 cm/s)
Elevated intrabolus pressureIBP > 15 mmHg compartmentalized between the EGJ and the peristaltic wavefront
Panesophageal pressurizationEsophageal pressurization UES to EGJ with > 30 mmHg IBP
Table 2 Distal esophageal motility disorders based on pressure topography criteria
DisorderCriteria
With Normal EGJ Relaxation (mean IRP < 15 mmHg)
Peristaltic Weakness
IntermediateMore than 30% of swallows with mild or severe peristaltic defects, but numerically insufficient to constitute severe peristaltic weakness
Severe>= 70% of swallows with severe peristaltic defects
Aperistalsis100% swallows with absent peristalsis
Nutcracker EsophagusNormal CFV, Mean DCI > 5000 and < 8000 mmHg × s × cm, can be localized to either distal subsegment or LES
Spastic NutcrackerNormal CFV, Mean DCI > 8000 mmHg × s × cm
Distal Esophageal SpasmNormal EGJ relaxation and spasm (CFV > 8 cm/s) with >= 20% of swallows
Esophageal ObstructionIncreased IBP or panesophageal pressurization not associated with EGJ obstruction
With Impaired EGJ Relaxation (mean IRP >= 15 mmHg)
Achalasia
Classic achalasiaImpaired EGJ relaxation and aperistalsis
Achalasia with esophageal compressionImpaired EGJ relaxation, aperistalsis, and panesophageal pressurization with >= 20% of swallows
Spastic achalasiaImpaired EGJ relaxation, aperistalsis, and spasm with >= 20% of swallows
EGJ Obstruction
MildElevated IBP (15-30 mmHg) that is compartmentalized between the peristaltic wavefront (normal, weak, or nutcracker) and EGJ
SevereIBP > 30 mmHg that is compartmentalized between the peristaltic wavefront (normal or nutcracker) and EGJ