Korean J Gastrointest Motil.  2001 Nov;7(2):227-232.

A Case of Nutcracker Esophagus Associated with Chest Pain and Antidepressant Treatment

• Choi SC
• Lee SY
• Choi JH
• Sim MR
• Yeom JJ
• Park JH
• Kim TH
• Nah YH

Abstract

Nutcracker esophagus is thought to be a common cause of noncardiac chest pain although has not been clearly established, and the effective treatment is lacking. The usual forms of therapy for noncardiac chest pain by nutcracker esophagus have been directed traditionally toward reducing esophageal hypermotility and muscle tone such as nitrate and calcium channel blocker. However, the results of this treatment in the long term care of patient with esophageal symptoms have been generally disappointing and often unsatisfactory. Recently, psychosomatic aspect of esophageal motility disorder including antidepressant treatment has been accepted in the treatment of noncardiac chest pain. We report a 48 year old female with nutcracker esophagus associated chest pain by ambulatory 24 hour esophageal manometry who failed diagnosis by conventional manometry. The symptoms of chest pain, quality of life, and depression of the patient were improved after antidepressant medication.

Keyword

Chest pain; Nutcracker esophagus; Antidepressant

MeSH Terms

Calcium Channels
Chest Pain*
Depression
Diagnosis
Esophageal Motility Disorders*
Female
Humans
Long-Term Care
Manometry
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Thorax*
Calcium Channels