Current perspectives on the diagnosis and treatment of functional esophageal disorders.

Among the functional gastrointestinal disorders, functional disorders of the esophagus are second in prevalence only to irritable bowel syndrome. Progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the pathophysiology of functional esophageal disorders. In this review we focus on recent advances in their diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, we critically appraise the current understanding of the various clinical aspects of each esophageal disorder. Finally, we highlight unanswered questions and areas of controversy.