Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus.

We report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: An Overlapping of Clinical, Endoscopic and Manometric Features.

The cause of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is not well understood. Most patients with EoE have allergic disorders. Here, we describe a patient with gastroesophageal reflux and EoE with dysphagia, substernal discomfort and retrosternal pain. Based on symptomatology consistent with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), treatment started with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) but no effect was observed. Next, the patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and multiple biopsies were acquired from the lower and upper esophagus. Cortisone treatment was given and high-resolution manometry was performed before and after treatment. The results suggested that esophageal motility improved after cortisone therapy together with improvements in the clinical and histological pictures.

Oral neuromuscular training relieves hernia-related dysphagia and GERD symptoms as effectively in obese as in non-obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Many physicians insist patients lose weight before their hiatal hernia (HH) condition and related symptoms including intermittent esophageal dysphagia (IED) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be treated, but it is not proven that body mass index (BMI) has an impact on exercise-based treatment of HH-related symptoms. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether BMI has significance on IQoro® neuromuscular training (IQNT) effectiveness in treating HH-related symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with sliding HH and enduring IED and GERD symptoms, despite proton pump inhibitor medication, were consecutively referred for 6 months' IQNT comprising 11/2 minutes daily. They were grouped by BMI which was recorded before and after IQNT, as were their symptoms of IED, reflux, heartburn, chest pain, globus sensation, non-productive cough, hoarseness, and misdirected swallowing. They were also assessed on food swallowing ability, water swallowing capacity and lip force both before and after treatment. RESULTS: After IQNT, all BMI groups showed significant improvement (p < .001) of all assessments' and symptoms; and heartburn, cough and misdirected swallowing were significantly more reduced in the severely obese. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: IQNT can treat HH-related IED and GERD symptoms as successfully in moderately or severely obese patients as in those with normal bodyweight.

Esophageal dysphagia and reflux symptoms before and after oral IQoro(R) training.

AIM: To examine whether muscle training with an oral IQoro(R) screen (IQS) improves esophageal dysphagia and reflux symptoms. METHODS: A total of 43 adult patients (21 women and 22 men) were consecutively referred to a swallowing center for the treatment and investigation of long-lasting nonstenotic esophageal dysphagia. Hiatal hernia was confirmed by radiologic examination in 21 patients before enrollment in the study (group A; median age 52 years, range: 19-85 years). No hiatal hernia was detected by radiologic examination in the remaining 22 patients (group B; median age 57 years, range: 22-85 years). Before and after training with an oral IQS for 6-8 mo, the patients were evaluated using a symptom questionnaire (esophageal dysphagia and acid chest symptoms; score 0-3), visual analogue scale (ability to swallow food: score 0-100), lip force test (≥ 15 N), velopharyngeal closure test (≥ 10 s), orofacial motor tests, and an oral sensory test. Another twelve patients (median age 53 years, range: 22-68 years) with hiatal hernia were evaluated using oral IQS traction maneuvers with pressure recordings of the upper esophageal sphincter and hiatus canal as assessed by high-resolution manometry. RESULTS: Esophageal dysphagia was present in all 43 patients at entry, and 98% of patients showed improvement after IQS training [mean score (range): 2.5 (1-3) vs 0.9 (0-2), P < 0.001]. Symptoms of reflux were reported before training in 86% of the patients who showed improvement at follow-up [1.7 (0-3) vs 0.5 (0-2), P < 0.001). The visual analogue scale scores were classified as pathologic in all 43 patients, and 100% showed improvement after IQS training [71 (30-100) vs 22 (0-50), P < 0.001]. No significant difference in symptom frequency was found between groups A and B before or after IQS training. The lip force test [31 N (12-80 N) vs 54 N (27-116), P < 0.001] and velopharyngeal closure test values [28 s (5-74 s) vs 34 s (13-80 s), P < 0.001] were significantly higher after IQS training. The oral IQS traction results showed an increase in mean pressure in the diaphragmatic hiatus region from 0 mmHg at rest (range: 0-0 mmHG) to 65 mmHg (range: 20-100 mmHg). CONCLUSION: Oral IQS training can relieve/improve esophageal dysphagia and reflux symptoms in adults, likely due to improved hiatal competence.

Effect of IQoro(R) training in hiatal hernia patients with misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Misdirected swallowing can be triggered by esophageal retention and hiatal incompetence. The results show that oral IQoro(R) screen (IQS) training improves misdirected swallowing, hoarseness, cough, esophageal retention, and globus symptoms in patients with hiatal hernia. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated whether muscle training with an IQS influences symptoms of misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention in patients with hiatal hernia. METHODS: A total of 28 adult patients with hiatal hernia suffering from misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention symptoms for more than 1 year before entry to the study were evaluated before and after training with an IQS. The patients had to fill out a questionnaire regarding symptoms of misdirected swallowing, hoarseness, cough, esophageal retention, and suprasternal globus, which were scored from 0-3, and a VAS on the ability to swallow food. The effect of IQS traction on diaphragmatic hiatus (DH) pressure was recorded in 12 patients with hiatal hernia using high resolution manometry (HRM). RESULTS: Upon entry into the study, misdirected swallowing, globus sensation, and esophageal retention symptoms were present in all 28 patients, hoarseness in 79%, and cough in 86%. Significant improvement was found for all symptoms after oral IQS training (p < 0.001). Traction with an IQS resulted in a 65 mmHg increase in the mean HRM pressure of the DH.

Evaluation of the Splash Time Test as a Bedside Test for Hiatal Hernia.

BACKGROUND: Hiatal hernias may present with heartburn, acid regurgitation, dysphagia, chest pain, pulmonary symptoms and globus jugularis. Due to the heterogeneous presentation, there is a need for a simple diagnostic instrument when hiatal hernia is suspected. Hiatal hernia may impair esophageal bolus transportation. The splash time test is a rough measurement of esophageal bolus transportation, where time is measured from the start of swallowing a liquid bolus to the appearance of a "splashing" sound at xiphoid level. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the splash time test is prolonged in patients with hiatal hernia compared to normal subjects. METHODS: In 30 patients with hiatal hernia, time was measured from swallow to splash using audiosignal recording. Thirty healthy subjects were used as controls. RESULTS: Median time from swallow to splash was 4.9 seconds in the patient group and 4.4 seconds in the control group. Five patients, but none of the controls, performed swallows with absence of splash. Using only absence of splash as a pathological result, sensitivity was 23% and specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: The splash time test is not a sensitive instrument in diagnosing hiatal hernias. The absence of splash, however, seems to be a specific marker of hiatal hernia. Further research is needed regarding which other conditions besides hiatal hernia may cause absence of splash. The splash time test can be replaced by the even simpler "splash test".

Is the severity of gastroesophageal reflux dependent on hiatus hernia size?

AIM: To determine if the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease is dependent on the size of a hiatus hernia. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with either a small (n = 25), medium (n = 25) or large (n = 25) hiatus hernia (assessed by high resolution esophageal manometry) were investigated using 24-h esophageal monitoring and a self-assessed symptom questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised the following items, each graded from 0 to 3 according to severity: heartburn; pharyngeal burning sensation; acid regurgitation; and chest pain. RESULTS: The percentage total reflux time was significantly longer in the group with hernia of 5 cm or more compared with the group with a hernia of < 3 cm (P < 0.002), and the group with a hernia of 3 to < 5 cm (P < 0.04). Pharyngeal burning sensation, heartburn and acid regurgitation were more common with large hernias than small hernias, but the frequency of chest pain was similar in all three hernia groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with a large hiatus hernia are more prone to have pathological gastroesophageal reflux and to have more acid symptoms than patients with a small hiatus hernia. However, it is unlikely that patients with an absence of acid symptoms will have pathological reflux regardless of hernia size.

Effects of using simulation versus CD-ROM in the performance of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to determine which method of teaching, CD-ROM, simulation, or a combination of both, was more effective in increasing the performance of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. No studies have investigated these methods. The framework for this study was critical thinking. The study was a prospective, mixed (between and within) subjects, experimental design. The sample consisted of 29 student registered nurse anesthetists randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: CD-ROM (n = 11), simulation (n = 11), and combination (n = 7). All groups were evaluated by the use of cadavers before and 2 months after the intervention using a valid and reliable instrument of performance. A repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that the combination was significantly better than the CD-ROM and simulation (P < .05). The means and standard deviations for pretest and posttest results, respectively, were: CD-ROM, 33 +/- 7%, 41 +/- 9%; simulation, 35 +/- 10%, 49 +/- 13%; and combination, 36 +/- 8%, 64 +/- 17%. The baseline for each group was 0. Use of a combination of CD-ROM and simulation should be considered in teaching ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques.

Factors influencing lower esophageal sphincter relaxation after deglutition.

AIM: To study the relationship between upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation, peristaltic pressure and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation following deglutition in non-dysphagic subjects. METHODS: Ten non-dysphagic adult subjects had a high-resolution manometry probe passed transnasally and positioned to cover the UES, the esophageal body and the LES. Ten water swallows in each subject were analyzed for time lag between UES relaxation and LES relaxation, LES pressure at time of UES relaxation, duration of LES relaxation, the distance between the transition level (TL) and the LES, time in seconds that the peristaltic wave was before (negative value) or after the TL when the LES became relaxed, and the maximal peristaltic pressure in the body of the esophagus. RESULTS: Relaxation of the LES occurred on average 3.5 s after the bolus had passed the UES and in most cases when the peristaltic wave front had reached the TL. The LES remained relaxed until the peristaltic wave faded away above the LES. CONCLUSION: LES relaxation seemed to be caused by the peristaltic wave pushing the bolus from behind against the LES gate.

Long-term outcome is worse after laparoscopic than after conventional Nissen fundoplication.

OBJECTIVE: No long-term studies of laparoscopic and open fundoplication were available in 1994. The aim of this study was to compare reflux control and side effects after laparoscopic and open fundoplication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult patients with uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were included in this prospective randomized clinical trial between laparoscopic and open 360-degree fundoplication. Patients with uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were included with the exception of those with weak peristalsis or suspected short oesophagus. Two senior surgeons, well trained in laparoscopic antireflux surgery, performed the 45 laparoscopic operations. Forty-eight patients underwent open surgery performed or supervised by two other senior surgeons, also well trained in gastro-oesophageal surgery. One of the latter recruited all the patients. Manometry and 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring were performed before operation and 6 months postoperatively. Manometry also included a short-term reflux test, an acid clearing test and an acid perfusion test. Symptom evaluation was performed before surgery, 6 months after and at long-term follow-up (33-79 months postoperatively) by the same surgeon. Long-term follow-up also included endoscopy. RESULTS: Six months after laparoscopy 4 patients had disabling dysphagia. None of the patient had disabling dysphagia after laparotomy. Four patients had mild heartburn 6 months after laparoscopy and 2 patients after laparotomy. Between 6 months' follow-up and long-term follow-up, 6 patients were reoperated on in the laparoscopy group and 2 patients in the laparotomy group. Three patients operated on with laparotomy had died of intercurrent diseases. After laparoscopy, at long-term follow-up, 62% of patients (28/45) were satisfied compared with 91% (41/45) after laparotomy. The difference was significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative reflux control was similar for laparoscopic and conventional fundoplication. At long-term follow-up significantly more patients were satisfied after laparotomy than after laparoscopy.

Symptoms and reflux competence in relation to anatomical findings at reoperation after laparoscopic total fundoplication.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms and anatomical failures after total laparoscopic fundoplication using the symptoms and findings at reoperation. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients who were reoperated on a median of 33 (0.5-102) months after laparoscopic fundoplication. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were divided into three groups according to the mode of presentation. The first group presented with dysphagia and no gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) (n = 6). The second group (n = 11) had recurrent GOR and the third group (n = 4) complained of a sense of excessive fullness. RESULTS: In the dysphagia group the reason for it in 4 patients was severe fibrosis in the hiatal region including the right part of the fundoplication. One patient had correctly located fundoplication but it was too tight. In the last patient the part of the stomach used was too low down. All patients in the GOR group had a slippage and rupture of the fundoplication. Ten patients also had a recurrent hernia. In 6/11 patients the fundal mobilisation was incomplete. In the last group (excessive fullness) one patient had a postoperative leak from the fundal part, one patient a para-oesophageal hernia, and one patient an intact but herniated repair. One further patient had an intact abdominal oesophagus and crural repair, but a large portion of the stomach had herniated through the left part of the fundoplication and acted as a volvulus. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphagia was caused by hiatal fibrosis or other technical failures rather than a normal tight fundoplication. Using the wrong part of the stomach causes recurrent heartburn. The laparoscopic suturing technique must be improved.

Prospective evaluation of laparoscopic and open 360 degree fundoplication in mild and severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between five-year control of reflux and early postoperative oesophageal function after total fundoplication done either laparoscopically or through a laparotomy in severe and mild reflux disease. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. PATIENTS: In the group with severe disease 9 patients had a laparotomy and 7 laparoscopy. The corresponding figures for the group with mild disease were 21 and 34 respectively. RESULTS: The increase in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure 6 months after operation in patients with recurrent disease was significantly less than that for patients with good reflux control (p < 0.01). In patients who had laparotomy, including 30% (9/30) with severe reflux disease, good long-term reflux control was found in 93% (27/29). In patients operated on laparoscopically including 17% (7/41) with severe reflux disease good long-term reflux control was found in 90% (35/39). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of recurrence differed between patients with severe disease who had a laparotomy and patients with mild disease operated on laparoscopically. Early postoperative manometry was prognostic for recurrence. Long-term reflux control seems to be similar after laparotomy and laparoscopy. Further randomised studies are needed.