[Diagnostic value of upper endoscopy in achalasia of the esophagus].

Thirty one patients with achalasia of the oesophagus as diagnosed by manometry between 1978 and 1991 at Aarhus Municipal Hospital (Arhus Kommunehospital) constituted the study group. All had had at least one upper endoscopy prior to oesophageal manometry. At the last endoscopy before manometry the endoscopist had no suspicion of achalasia in 48.4% of the cases. It is concluded, that in patients with dysphagia where an organic cause is excluded by upper endoscopy, oesophageal manometry should be carried out.