ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of balloon dilatation therapy on dysphagia caused by cricopharyn- geal achalasia.Methods Ten cases of dysphagia were diagnosed as cricopharyngeal achalasia by videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS).A 14~* urethral catheter was inserted into the esophagus and an amount of water was injec- ted into the balloon of the urethral catheter to make it turgid.Then the catheter was pulled upwards and passed through the stricture of esophagus to dilatate the cricopbarygeus muscle.Meanwhile,low frequency electrical stimula- tion was used and combined with functional training of the organs related to deglutition and ingestion.The results be- fore and after the treatment were evaluated.Results After 19.7 times of dilatation therapy,the content of water in- jected into the balloon was increased from 2.65?0.91 ml to 8.20?0.92 ml.Cricopharyngeal achalasia was alle- viated significantly(P