J Korean Radiol Soc.  1996 Aug;35(2):177-182.

Esophageal Achalasia: Results of Balloon Dilation

• Ki WW
• Kang SG
• Yoon DH
• Kim NH
• Lee HJ
• Yoon HK
• Sung KB
• Song HY

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation in the treatment of esophageal achalasia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Under fluoroscopic guidance, 21 balloon dilation procedures were performed in 14 patients with achalasia. A balloon with a diameter of 20mm was used for the initial attempt. Ifthe patient tolerated this well, the procedure was repeated with a 10-20 mm balloon, placed alongside at the same session. If, however, the patient complained of severe chest pain and/or a postprocedural esophagogram showed an improvement, the additional balloon was not used. For patients whose results were unsatisfactory, the dilation procedure was repeated at sessions three to seven days apart.
RESULTS
Succesful dilation was achieved in 13 of 14patients(92.9%), who needed a total of 20 sessions of balloon dilation, ranging from one to three sessions perpatient(mean, 1.54 sessions). Esophageal rupture occured in one of 14 patients(7.1%) ; of the 13 patients who underwent a successful dilation procedure, 12(92.3%) were free of recurrent symptoms during the follow-up periodof 1-56(mean, 18.5) months. The remaning patient(7.7%) had a recurrence seven months after dilation.
CONCLUSION
Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation seems to be safe and effective in the treatment of esophageal achalasia.

Keyword

Achalasia; Esophagus, interventional procedure; Esophagus, rupture; Esophagus, stenosis or obstruction; Interventional procedure, complications

MeSH Terms

Chest Pain
Esophageal Achalasia*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Recurrence
Rupture