Are there any differences between nutcracker esophagus with and without reflux?

Abstract

"Nutcracker esophagus" (NE) is a primary esophageal motor disorder, first described in patients with noncardiac chest pain. In recent years NE has been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this study we compare patients with NE with and without GERD, as defined by pHmetry or endoscopy, with respect to clinical, endoscopic, radiologic, and manometric findings. Fifty-two patients with NE were studied. They were divided in two groups: GERD (17-32.6%) and non-GERD (35-67.4%) patients. Females predominated in both groups, with no significant difference in age (p>0.05). Chest pain was the chief complaint in both groups (p>0.05). Clinical findings in patients with and without reflux included chest pain (52.9% and 51.4%), dysphagia (58.8% and 42.8%), and heartburn (64.7% and 42.8%), followed by regurgitation, dyspepsia, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) complaints, respiratory symptoms, and odynophagia (p>0.05). Erosive esophagitis was found in three patients (5.7%). There were no differences between groups in the findings of barium swallow studies and all manometric findings were similar for both groups (p>0.05). We conclude that there were no differences in patients with NE with or without associated reflux disease. It is important to diagnose reflux properly so patients can be treated adequately.