Tu1989 Impact of Spatial Resolution on Results of Esophageal High-Resolution Manometry

Introduction: According to the Chicago classification of esophageal motility disorders, distal esophageal spasm (DES) is defined as a normal mean integral relaxation pressure (IRP) in combination with premature esophageal contractions (distal latency (DL) 9.0 cm/s) but with a normal DL. In the Chicago classification this poorly characterized abnormality is labelled "rapid contractions with normal latency" (RCNL). Aim: To investigate the differences between patients with DES and patients with RCNL. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and high-resolution manometric recordings of patients with a normal IRP and simultaneous esophageal contractions with and without a short DL. The results of the barium esophagogram were also taken into account (absence or presence of tertiary contractions). Results: Since February 2012, 19 patients were identified. Of these, 8 fulfilled the Chicago criteria for DES (DES), including a short DL. The remaining 11 patients showed simultaneous contractions in the distal esophagus but with DL >4.5 s (RCNL). DES patients were younger than RCNL patients (59 ± 4 versus 72 ± 3 years, P