Esophageal chest pain

Abstract

Recurrent chest pain frequently results in significant disability and anxiety, even after cardiac disease has been excluded. A stepwise approach is recommended for the diagnosis of pulmonary conditions, musculoskeletal disorders and structural problems of the upper gastrointestinal tract that can produce chest pain. If a search for these disorders proves negative, an esophageal source of chest pain should be strongly suspected. Although gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common and easily treated cause of esophageal chest pain, esophageal motility disorders should also be considered. Motility disorders include achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus, hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter and nonspecific motility disorders.