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Diagnosis of Achalasia
How Do We Diagnose Achalasia?
Our active participation in clinical trials helps us examine all aspects of your condition using the best available techniques.
We perform many tests for achalasia using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera that we pass down your throat). We perform these tests in our sophisticated endoscopy suite. Learn more about the Endoscopy Suite at Stanford.
You may need one or more tests, including:
- Barium esophagram: This imaging study uses a special dye (barium) to help pinpoint areas of narrowing (stricture), examine muscle coordination and determine whether you are retaining food in your esophagus.
- Esophageal manometry: For this test, we pass a small tube through your nose into your stomach to measure pressure, timing and strength of muscle contractions near your lower esophageal valve.
- Upper endoscopy: Using an endoscope, we carefully examine the lining of your esophagus for ulcers,inflammation, infection and cancer. We may also take a tissue sample (biopsy) and examine it under a microscope.