Effect of different swallow time intervals on the nutcracker esophagus.

Objective: Nutcracker esophagus (NE) is defined as the presence of peristaltic contractions in which the average distal esophageal amplitude is greater than 180 mm Hg. The underlying mechanism responsible for these abnormalities is not known. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that NE might be caused by a defect in the inhibitory pathway controlling esophageal peristalsis.