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
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