Diffuse esophageal spasm natural history, complications and prognosis

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

If left untreated, most patients remain asymptomatic over the course of time. Very few cases report progression to Achalasia and nut cracker esophagus.

• DES is generally non-progressive, if left untreated there are very few case reports of progression to Achalasia and nut cracker esophagus.

• Common complications of DES include:
  • Achalasia
  • Nut cracker esophagus

• Prognosis is generally excellent and the disease has no mortality recorded.