Esophageal diseases

This includes esophageal malformations, motility disorders, inflammation, and tumors. Some are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms with little impact on health. Others affect eating and may even be life-threatening. Diagnosis requires X-ray; X-ray, also known as Roentgen ray, is an electromagnetic wave with a very short wavelength, ranging from about 10 nm to 0.1 nm, with great penetrating power, capable of exposing photographic film, causing certain substances to fluoresce, and ionizing gases. Barium contrast studies, esophageal manometry, or esophagoscopy are used. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases require no treatment, while those affecting eating or threatening life require surgical treatment.