Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2014; 20(3): 822-828
Published online Jan 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i3.822
Impairment of secondary peristalsis in Barrett’s esophagus by transnasal endoscopy-based testing
Go Kobayashi, Mitsuru Kaise, Hiroshi Arakawa, Hisao Tajiri
Go Kobayashi, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jikei University Daisan Hospital, Tokyo 201-8601, Japan
Mitsuru Kaise, Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan
Hiroshi Arakawa, Department of Endoscopy, Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, Chiba 277-8567, Japan
Hisao Tajiri, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
Author contributions: Kobayashi G and Kaise M contributed equally to this work; Kobayashi G, Kaise M, Arakawa H and Tajiri H designed the research; Kobayashi G and Kaise M performed the research; Kobayashi G, Kaise M and Arakawa H analyzed the data; Kobayashi G, Kaise M and Tajiri H wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Mitsuru Kaise, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital, 2-2-2 Toranomon, Minato- ku, Tokyo 105-8470, Japan. kaise@toranomon.gr.jp
Telephone: +81-3-35881111 Fax: +81-3-35827068
Received: August 4, 2013
Revised: November 6, 2013
Accepted: December 3, 2013
Published online: January 21, 2014
Processing time: 199 Days and 16.7 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To investigate dysfunctions in esophageal peristalsis and sensation in patients with Barrett’s esophagus following acid infusion using endoscopy-based testing.

METHODS: First, physiological saline was infused into the esophagus of five healthy subjects, at a rate of 10 mL/min for 10 min, followed by infusion of HCl. Esophageal contractions were analyzed to determine whether the contractions observed by endoscopy and ultrasonography corresponded to the esophageal peristaltic waves diagnosed by manometry. Next, using nasal endoscopy, esophageal sensations and contractions were investigated in patients with, as well as controls without, Barrett’s esophagus using the same infusion protocol.

RESULTS: All except one of the propulsive contractions identified endoscopically were recorded as secondary peristaltic waves by manometry. Patients with long segment Barrett’s esophagus (LSBE) tended to have a shorter lag time than the control group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (88 ± 54 s vs 162 ± 150 s respectively, P = 0.14). Furthermore, patients with LSBE had significantly fewer secondary contractions following the infusion of both saline and HCl than did either the control group or patients with short segment Barrett’s esophagus (4.1 ± 1.2 vs 8.0 ± 2.8, P < 0.001 and 7.3 ± 3.2, P < 0.01, respectively, following saline infusion; 5.3 ± 1.2 vs 8.4 ± 2.4 and 8.1 ± 2.9 respectively, P < 0.01 for both, following infusion of HCl).

CONCLUSION: Using nasal endoscopy and a simple acid-perfusion study, we were able to demonstrate disorders in secondary peristalsis in patients with LSBE.

Keywords: Barrett’s esophagus; Transnasal endoscopy; Acid infusion test; Esophageal sensation; Secondary peristalsis

Core tip: We have developed a simple technique for esophageal examination based on transnasal endoscopy in unsedated patients. First, manometric waves and esophageal contractions were evaluated using three different modalities following the infusion of acid into the lower esophagus. Next, using nasal endoscopy, esophageal contractions and sensations were investigated in patients with Barrett’s esophagus. It was possible to observe secondary peristalsis endoscopically, using nasal endoscopy and a simple acid-perfusion study, we were able to demonstrate disorders in secondary peristalsis in patients with long segment Barrett’s esophagus.