Empirical Dilation of Non-obstructive Dysphagia: Current Understanding and Future Directions

Abstract

Non-obstructive dysphagia (NOD) is defined as symptomatic dysphagia in patients with negative endoscopic and radiographic workup. The management of NOD remains controversial as there is a discrepancy between different guidelines and clinical practice. Despite the lack of high-quality studies, empiric dilation for NOD is a common clinical practice among endoscopists and the approach varies between different clinical centers. In this review, we summarize the published literature on empiric dilation for NOD and propose a management algorithm for offering empiric dilation to patients presenting with dysphagia.

Keywords: Barium esophagogram; Bougie/balloon dilation; Dysphagia; Empirical dilation; Endoscopy; Esophageal dysphagia; High-resolution manometry; Non-obstructive dysphagia.