Is esophageal spasm the same as erosive esophagitis?
REPLY: ----------------
No. Spasm refers to contraction of the muscles of the esophagus. This can sometimes be the cause of chest pain episodes which can resemble heart pain. Spasm can be diagnosed by measuring the strength of the esophageal muscles during a test called an esophageal manometry or motility study. A thin plastic catheter is placed into the esophagus and hooked up to sensitive devices which measure the intensity and duration of esophageal contractions.
Erosive esophagitis is actual damage to the inner lining of the esophagus commonly caused by acid refluxing up into the esophagus. This is best diagnosed during an endoscopy when the inner layer can be directly inspected through a flexible endoscope or displayed on a color monitor.
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Bruce Sckolnick, M.D.
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