Chest pain of esophageal origin.

Pain of esophageal origin includes heartburn, odynophagia, and spontaneous chest pain. The etiologic causes of esophageal chest pain are varied and include gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis from radiation, infection, accidental ingestion, medication, and systemic disorders, and motility disorders. Useful tools in the evaluation of patients with suspected esophageal disease include endoscopy, manometry with provocative agents, and prolonged pH and pressure studies.