What is Diffuse Esophageal
Spasm (DES)?
Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) is a
poorly understood disorder that causes
uncontrolled spasms of the patient’s
esophagus, preventing swallowed food
from reaching the stomach.The specific
cause of the disorder is not known.
DES can be a troublesome and worrying
cause of chest pain, often mimicking
heart disease.
Phone: (310) 825-6167
Fax: (310) 794-7335
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://esophagealcenter.ucla.edu
UCLA Medical Center
10833 Le Conte Avenue
Room 64-131
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Diffuse Esophageal
Spasm (DES)
UCLA Center for
Esophageal Disorders
Common Symptoms of DES
Treatment Options
• Chest pain that can worsen when eating
or drinking very hot foods or liquids
Medication: Medications can relax the muscles of the
esophagus in some patients.
• Difficulty swallowing
Surgery: For patients who do not respond to other
therapies, surgery may be recommended. Muscles of
the lower esophagus are cut to help relax the esophagus.
This procedure is performed through an incision either
in the chest or abdomen.
• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
Diagnosing DES
It is essential that heart disease, if considered, be
excluded when evaluating patients with chest pains
suggestive of DES.
The barium swallow, esophageal manometry, and
esophagoscopy or endoscopy are the most common
diagnostic tests for DES. A barium swallow, which
involves ingestion of a barium-containing liquid
followed by an X-ray study, observes the function of
the esophagus. Esophageal manometry involves passing
a small tube or catheter into the stomach to measure
pressures along the esophagus. Esophagoscopy or
endoscopy involves insertion of a thin, flexible tube
with a camera through the mouth into the esophagus
to enable the physician to see the inside of the
esophagus and take biopsies as needed.
Several websites offer more
information about DES:
• www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
ency/article/000289.htm
• www.nature.com/gimo/contents/
pt1/full/gimo22.html