Motor abnormalities of the oesophagus are characterised by a chronic impairment of the neuromuscular structures that co-ordinate oesophageal function. The best-defined entity is achalasia, which is discussed in a separate chapter. Other motor disorders with clinical relevance include diffuse oesophageal spasm, oesophageal dysmotility associated with scleroderma, and ineffective oesophageal moti...

Oesophageal atresia and/or tracheo-oesophageal fistula are common malformations occurring in approximately 1 in 3500 births. In around half of cases (syndromic oesophageal atresia), there are other associated anomalies, with cardiac malformations being the most common. These may occur as part of the VACTERL association (OMIM 192350). In the remainder of cases, oesophageal atresia/tracheo-oesoph...

Malignant airway-oesophageal fistulas (AEF) are a serious complication of advance oesophageal or lung cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life before and after stent insertion, and to examine the role of treatment and location of AEF as factors influencing survival in AEF patients managed with airway and/or oesophageal stent insertion. 112 patients with AEF were included ...

Although highly susceptible to orogastric candidiasis, T-cell receptor delta- and alpha-chain knockout mice, deficient in gammadelta and alphabeta T cells, respectively, were found to be resistant to disseminated candidiasis of endogenous origin and to acute systemic candidiasis (resulting from intravenous injection).

A simple and safe procedure providing sensitive and reproducible direct measurement of intravascular oesophageal variceal pressure (IOVP) during routine oesophagoscopy is described. The method requires only commercially available equipment. First results were obtained in 16 patients with oesophageal varices caused by liver cirrhosis (Child's A) can be summarised as follows: intravascular oesoph...

BACKGROUND Although gastro-oesophageal reflux is a recognised cause of chronic cough, the role of oesophageal dysmotility is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal oesophageal motility in a selected group of patients with chronic cough. METHODS Oesophageal manometry and 24 hour pH monitoring were performed in 43 patients with chronic cough, 34 of whom had s...

Accepted for publication 25 March 1991 Abstract Recent studies suggest that vagal nerve dysfunction may be important in the aetiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Delayed oesophageal transit and slowed gastric emptying occur frequently and may also be of pathogenic importance. In 48 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease we studied the prevalence of and relations between auton...

We studied the effect of cisapride on oesophageal motor function and postprandial gastro-oesophageal reflux in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled crossover study. In 16 patients with symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux, cisapride 10 mg orally and placebo were studied on separate days according to identical protocols. Cisapride and placebo were given 30 minutes before a standard me...

The purpose of this review was to investigate the management of oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients and to evaluate the different guidelines available for its management. A number of topical and systemic antifungal medications are used to treat oral candidiasis in HIV-positive patients. Milder episodes of oral candidiasis respond to topical therapy with nystatin, clotrimazole troches or oral ...