Neuropathology of the oesophagus in diabetes mellitus

Abnormalities of the innervation of the oesophagus have been shown in 18 out of 20 unselected diabetics without clinical dysphagia or neuropathy. The changes appear to be in the axons of the extrinsic and intrinsic parasympathetic fibres. It is probable that, as in the peripheral nerves, the major changes are in the Schwann cells, although here the affected fibres are unmyelinated.