Cricopharyngeal peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia of the cricopharynx: “to do or not to do”

Cricopharyngeal achalasia is a rarely reported [1] entity traditionally treated by surgery [2]. The video shows two cases referred to our unit for cricopharyngeal peroral endoscopic myotomy (C-POEM).

The first case was a 40-year-old woman with a 2-year history of cervical dysphagia requiring enteral feeding. Previous gastroscopy, barium transit, and high resolution manometry (HRM) were compatible with cricopharyngeal achalasia. A neck ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) without intravenous contrast supported the diagnosis. During the endoscopy for C-POEM, an upper compression that flattened with the endoscope and presented a beat was observed. An urgent angio-CT diagnosed the patient with lusoria dysphagia. Therefore, no endoscopic treatment was performed and the patient was referred for vascular bypass surgery.

The second case was an 83-year-old man with upper dysphagia and laryngeal microaspirations. Barium transit showed an upper posterior imprint ([Video 1]) and HRM was compatible with cricopharyngeal achalasia. At gastroscopy, it was not possible to pass the upper esophageal sphincter. A CT scan with contrast ruled out extrinsic compressions. The patient was reluctant to undergo therapeutic maneuvers and accepted a treatment with botulinum toxin, which subsequently worsened the symptoms. Videoradiology and a new manometry reaffirmed the diagnosis of cricopharyngeal achalasia. Finally, the patient agreed to undergo C-POEM.

Video 1 Cricopharyngeal peroral endoscopic myotomy (C-POEM) is a feasible treatment for cricopharyngeal achalasia without associated Zenker’s diverticulum, although it requires an adequate diagnosis and exclusion of other causes of upper dysphagia.

After initial tunneling without cap owing to the limited space, a myotomy of the cricopharyngeal bar ([Fig. 1]) was performed with subsequent closure of the mucosotomy with clips ([Fig. 2]). The patient experienced immediate symptomatic improvement that was confirmed by barium transit ([Fig. 3]), and remained asymptomatic after 5 months.

Fig. 1 Cricopharyngeal bar.

Fig. 2 Myotomy of the cricopharyngeal bar. a Exposed cricopharyngeal bar. b Complete cricopharyngeal bar myotomy. c Disappearance of the bar from the esophageal lumen after myotomy.

Fig. 3 Normal barium transit the day after myotomy.

Cricopharyngeal achalasia without Zenker’s diverticulum requires careful diagnosis to exclude other pathologies [3] [4]. The limited space due to the cricopharyngeal bar can make endoscopic diagnosis and treatment difficult. Working without a cap at the beginning of the procedure led to successful completion of the myotomy.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Chen JM, Chen YJ, Ni J. et al. Ultrasound, electromyography, and balloon guidance for injecting botulinum toxin for cricopharyngeal achalasia: a case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100: e24909
• 2 Jayawardena ADL, Miller LE, Hirner L. et al. Modified external approach to the pediatric cricopharyngeal myotomy: a case series. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 132: 109899
• 3 Elmunzer BJ, Moran RA. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for cricopharyngeal bar. VideoGIE 2020; 5: 378-379
• 4 Al Ghamdi SS, Farha J, Runge TM. et al. No pouch, no problem: successful endoscopic division of a symptomatic cricopharyngeal bar using a modified peroral endoscopic myotomy technique for Zenker’s diverticulum. VideoGIE 2020; 5: 281-282

Publication History

Article published online:
09 August 2021