Esophageal motility disorders that present with episodic chest pain are diffuse esophageal spasm and nutcracker esophageal spasm. Both Conditions can be accurately differentiated by the manometry and barium swallow.
Characteristics
DIffuse esophageal spasm is characterized by uncoordinated movements of normal amplitude while Nutcracker Esophagus (Hypertensive peristalsis) is a condition with high amplitude and coordinated peristalsis in the esophagus.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Diffuse Esophageal Spasm include intermittent chest pain with meals and hot food, regurgitation, and heartburn while Nutcracker esophagus presents with dysphagia and chest pain, heartburn might be present but there is no relation with food intake.
Barium Swallow
In Diffuse esophageal spasm, Barium Swallow shows corkscrew appearance but in Nutcracker esophagus the barium swallow is normal.
Relation with other gastric motility disorders:
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