Question:

Corkscrew esophagus on a barium study is characteristically seen in which of the following conditions?

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Simultaneous non-peristaltic contractions give the beaded barium pattern.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Carcinoma esophagus
  • Scleroderma
  • Achalasia cardia
  • Diffuse esophageal spasm
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Diffuse esophageal spasm is a motility disorder marked by repetitive, simultaneous, non-peristaltic contractions of the esophageal body.

Step 2: These uncoordinated contractions indent the barium column, producing the classic radiological appearances described as corkscrew esophagus, curling esophagus, or pseudodiverticulosis. The patient presents with substernal chest pain and intermittent dysphagia, and the diagnosis is confirmed by manometry.

Step 3: The distractors give different patterns. Carcinoma esophagus produces an irregular stricture or shouldering, achalasia cardia shows a smooth tapering bird-beak narrowing at the lower end with proximal dilatation, and scleroderma causes a dilated aperistaltic esophagus with a patulous lower sphincter. None of these gives the corkscrew look.

Step 4: Hence corkscrew esophagus is seen in diffuse esophageal spasm.
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