Endosonographic Evaluation of the Patient with Achalasia: Appearance of the Esophagus using the Echoendoscope

Abstract

The appearance of esophageal wall thickening was common in patients with achalasia. Positioning of the echoendoscope in some patients with an irregularly-shaped, tortuous esophagus may result in tangential imaging and the production of artifacts simulating submucosal lesions. The production of such imaging artifacts suggests that caution must be exercise when EUS with the echoendoscope is used to evaluate patients with achalasia and a tortuous esophagus. Based on the present level of knowledge, EUS is not recommended in the routine evaluation of patients with achalasia.