Demonstration of the deglutitive wave of inhibition by extrinsic esophageal vascular compression

ABSTRACT

In the human esophagus a wave of inhibition precedes the primary peristaltic contraction. To study this wave of deglutitive inhibition an artificial high-pressure zone has to be created in the esophageal body. The inflation of an intraesophageal balloon is the way to demonstrate the inhibition. In this paper we show another possibility of manometric recording of esophageal deglutitive inhibition. Esophageal extrinsic vascular compression may cause a zone of high-pressure in the esophageal body which can be seen in all segments of the esophagus. With deglutition there is a relaxation in this zone that precedes the primary peristaltic contraction.