Purpose: We would like to evaluate the role of dynamic sonography in diagnosis and follow-up after pneumatic balloon dilatation of achalasia.
Materials and Methods: From 2006 to 2008, we have 50 cases of achalasia confirmed by esophageal manometry.All of them underwent dynamic sonography in which the cardia was noticed while the patient were sitting and drinking a cup of water. And then a pneumatic balloon dilatation was done. Another post-dilatation dynamic sonography was performed to see how effective the dilatation was.
Results: The diagnosis of achalasia was made when there was a stagnation of water at the cardia while the patient were drinking. The sensitivity of the test was 96% and the specitivity was 100%.One patient having no stagnation was due to not drinking enough water and another patient was negative with slight achalasia. Post-dilatation sonography performed with the same procedure showed good results in 86%, fairly well in 10% and failure of dilatation in 4% of the patients.
Conclusions: Dynamic sonography was a simple, easy, effective way to diagnose achalasia and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment after pneumatic balloon dilatation.