Achalasia

Abstract Achalasia is a rare motility disorder of the oesophagus and lower oesophageal sphincter, secondary to dysfunction of the enteric nervous system. More common in adults, it occurs in 0.1–0.18 per 100,000 children per year, with an equal sex distribution. Presenting with an insidious onset of dysphagia, regurgitation, and retrosternal chest pain, investigation may include chest X-ray, upper gastrointestinal contrast studies, and endoscopy. Management involves pharmacological relaxation or controlled disruption of the lower oesophageal sphincter by oesophageal dilatation or surgical techniques to provide relief of symptoms. No treatment modality alone, or in combination, is known to be curative.