Idiopathic achalasia

This study tests whether a Botox injection into the stomach valve works as well as a surgical cut to prevent food from emptying too slowly after esophagus removal. About 170 adults having elective esophagectomy will be randomly assigned to one of the two procedures. Researchers w…

This study tests a magnetically controlled capsule endoscope—a tiny camera you swallow—to painlessly screen the esophagus and stomach. Researchers will compare different swallowing protocols to see which gives the best view of the Z-line and other areas. 300 patients already sche…

This study compares a shorter muscle cut (4-5 cm) during a procedure called POEM to the standard longer cut (8-10 cm) for people with certain swallowing disorders. The goal is to see if the shorter cut works just as well at relieving symptoms like trouble swallowing and chest pai…

This study aims to collect medical data and biological samples (blood, urine, stool, and tissue) from up to 4,000 adults with known or suspected gastrointestinal diseases. Participants receive standard medical care at the NIH, and any extra samples or leftover tissue from procedu…

This study compares two techniques—esophageal manometry and EndoFLIP balloon measurements—to evaluate how well they assess swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Researchers will enroll up to 1,000 patients with known esophageal conditions to see how these measurements relate to sy…

This study observes how doctors decide the length of the muscle cut during POEM surgery for people with swallowing disorders like achalasia. Researchers will follow 200 adults for 2 years, tracking symptoms and whether retreatment is needed. The goal is to see if tailoring the su…

This study tests an artificial intelligence tool that helps doctors see blood vessels during endoscopic procedures for achalasia or tumors. The AI aims to reduce the risk of bleeding and injury by spotting vessels faster and more accurately. Twenty participants will be enrolled t…