Achalasia
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Achalasia
Gastrointestinal system
Congenital disorders
Disorders of the liver and biliary system
Acute cholecystitis
Ascending cholangitis
Biliary colic
Chronic cholecystitis
Gallstone ileus
Gallstones
Alcohol-associated liver disease
Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Cholestatic liver disease
Cirrhosis
Crigler-Najjar syndrome
Dubin-Johnson syndrome
Gilbert's syndrome
Hemochromatosis
Hepatic encephalopathy
Viral hepatitis
Jaundice
Neonatal hepatitis
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Portal hypertension
Primary biliary cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Reye syndrome
Rotor syndrome
Wilson disease
Disorders of the oral cavity, salivary glands, and esophagus
Achalasia
Barrett esophagus
Diffuse esophageal spasm
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Mallory-Weiss syndrome
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Zenker diverticulum
Aphthous ulcers
Dental abscess
Dental caries disease
Gingivitis and periodontitis
Ludwig angina
Oral candidiasis
Parotitis
Sialadenitis
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Disorders of the pancreas
Disorders of the peritoneal cavity
Disorders of the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus
Anal fissure
Anal fistula
Hemorrhoid
Rectal prolapse
Appendicitis
Bowel obstruction
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Gallstone ileus
Gastroenteritis
Hirschsprung disease
Intussusception
Irritable bowel syndrome
Ischemic colitis
Lactose intolerance
Microscopic colitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Protein losing enteropathy
Short bowel syndrome (NORD)
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome
Small bowel ischemia and infarction
Tropical sprue
Volvulus
Whipple's disease
Cyclic vomiting syndrome
Gastric dumping syndrome
Gastritis
Gastroparesis
Peptic ulcer
Infectious, immunologic, and inflammatory disorders
Neoplasms
Gallbladder carcinoma
Esophageal cancer
Benign liver tumors
Hepatocellular adenoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Carcinoid syndrome
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Oral cancer
Warthin tumor
Pancreatic cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal polyps
Familial adenomatous polyposis
Gardner syndrome
Juvenile polyposis syndrome
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Gastric cancer
Traumatic and mechanical disorders
Gastrointestinal system pathology review
Congenital gastrointestinal disorders: Pathology review
Cirrhosis: Pathology review
Gallbladder disorders: Pathology review
Jaundice: Pathology review
Esophageal disorders: Pathology review
Nasal, oral and pharyngeal diseases: Pathology review
Pancreatitis: Pathology review
Appendicitis: Pathology review
Diverticular disease: Pathology review
GERD, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer: Pathology review
Malabsorption syndromes: Pathology review
Inflammatory bowel disease: Pathology review
Viral hepatitis: Pathology review
Colorectal polyps and cancer: Pathology review
Neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal system: Pathology review
Gastrointestinal bleeding: Pathology review
Key Takeaways
Achalasia is a rare disorder of the esophagus in which the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax. This interferes with the normal movement of food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The main symptoms are difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and regurgitation of food or liquid. These symptoms may get worse over time. Achalasia can also cause chest pain, heartburn, and problems with breathing.
The diagnostic workup of achalasia may involve esophageal manometry, upper GI endoscopy, and esophageal barium swallow. The treatment can require surgery to correct the defect or pneumatic dilation in which a balloon can be used to dilate narrowed segments of the esophagus. Achalasia