Oesophageal motor dysfunction in patients with diverticula of the mid-thoracic oesophagus

Abstract

Kaye, M. D. (1974).Thorax, 29, 666-672. Oesophageal motor dysfunction in patients with diverticula of the mid-thoracic oesophagus. Oesophageal motor function was assessed by a perfused catheter manometric system in a consecutive series of 12 patients with diverticula located in the mid-thoracic oesophagus. In only one of the 12 patients was there radiographic evidence of prior tuberculous infection. Manometry revealed diffuse oesophageal spasm in five patients and vigorous achalasia in one. In the other six patients there was a definite but unclassifiable abnormality of motility, of moderate degree in four and mild in two. `Traction' is of less importance in the pathogenesis of mid-oesophageal diverticula than is generally supposed. An underlying disorder of oesophageal motor function should be suspected in patients with this type of lesion.