Achalasia of the cricopharyngeus muscle
What is cricopharyngeal muscle achalasia?
It is a disease that affects the cricopharyngeal muscle. This muscle is hypertrophied and does not relax properly during swallowing.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom is difficulty swallowing or high dysphagia, regurgitation of food and passage of food into the respiratory tract, which can cause recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by high-resolution manometry, with special probes that allow precise determination of the function of the upper esophageal sphincter.
It is essential to perform a high-quality upper digestive endoscopy (gastroscopy), a radiological transit and a chest CT beforehand, in order to rule out other diseases that make it difficult for food to pass through.
If you are looking for a second opinion about your endoscopic treatment or have been offered a surgical solution, contact us.
How is it treated?
The most effective treatment is C-POEM, or endoscopy myotomy.
Through an upper digestive endoscopy, without the need for surgical incisions, the cricopharyngeal muscle is treated and we restore the natural passage of food.
Cricopharyngeal achalasia before treatment.
Other options such as drugs, endoscopic dilation, endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin, and surgery are much less effective or more aggressive.
The Endos Advanced team introduced C-POEM in our country, is especially dedicated to this technique and has extensive experience in treating complex patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Cricopharyngeal achalasia after treatment.