Key result
Amyl nitrite inhalation did not affect the lower esophageal sphincter in pseudoachalasia patients but increased sphincter diameter by ≥2 mm in all patients with idiopathic achalasia.
Why the study?
Does amyl nitrite inhalation distinguish pseudoachalasia from idiopathic achalasia during radiologic testing?
Observational (n=12)
Does amyl nitrite inhalation distinguish pseudoachalasia from idiopathic achalasia during radiologic testing?
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 100%
Amyl nitrite inhalation during radiologic testing may be a useful method for distinguishing pseudoachalasia from idiopathic achalasia.
May aid radiologic differentiation of achalasia subtypes; hypothesis-generating and unvalidated in prospective studies.
In a simple radiologic test, amyl nitrite inhalation seems to distinguish patients with pseudoachalasia from those with idiopathic achalasia. In three pseudoachalasia patients with tumor infiltration of the distal esophagus, the narrow lower esophageal sphincter segment was unaffected by the smooth-muscle relaxant effect of amyl nitrite. In contrast, amyl nitrite caused a measurable increase of 2 mm or more in sphincter diameter in nine patients with idiopathic achalasia. The amyl nitrite test may be a useful method for distinguishing patients with pseudoachalasia from those with idiopathic achalasia.
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Dodds et al. (1986) conducted an observational in Pseudoachalasia and idiopathic achalasia (n=12). Amyl nitrite inhalation vs. Idiopathic achalasia patients was evaluated on Increase in lower esophageal sphincter diameter of 2 mm or more. Amyl nitrite inhalation did not affect the lower esophageal sphincter in pseudoachalasia patients but increased sphincter diameter by ≥2 mm in all patients with idiopathic achalasia.
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