Diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders

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When a patient presents with dysphagia and chest pain, the diagnosis may be one of a number of esophageal motility disorders. In some cases, however, the diagnosis is confused because pain mimics that of angina pectoris. Mechanical dysphagia may also be confused with dysphagia due to an esophageal motility disorder. How can primary care physicians know which studies are needed for accurate diagnosis? In this article, Dr Marshall clarifies the differential diagnosis and discusses the relative merits of current diagnostic methods.