Diffuse esophageal spasm historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Madhu Sigdel M.B.B.S.[2]

DES was first described by Osgood, in 1889 in 6 patients presenting with chest pain and dysphagia. Development of high resolution esophageal manometry in 2000 has led to classification of esophageal motility disorders.

• In 1543: Vesalius, a Belgian anatomist was the first to describe the anatomy of the esophagus.

• In 1674: T. Willis, an English physician used whale bone to dilate the esophagus.
• In 1806: Philipp Bozzini, a German physician develops an early endoscope using a mirror and reflected light from a candle in an attempt to see the upper esophagus.
• In 1843: Switzer, a Denmark physician invented esophageal dilators.
• In 1844: John Watson, an American surgeon first performed esophagotomy for the relief of esophageal stricture.
• In 1872: Christian Albert Theodor Billroth, an Austrian surgeon performed the first excision of the esophagus.
• In 1883: H. Kronecker and S. Meltzer first used inserted balloons to describe esophageal motility and pressure measurements.
• In 1954: L.R. Celestin first developed an esophageal tube for the treatment of malignant dysphagia.
• DES was first described by Osgood, in 1889 in 6 patients presenting with chest pain and dysphagia.

• In 2000, development of high resolution esophageal manometry has led to classification of esophageal motility disorders.