[Changes in esophageal function caused by sclerotherapy of esophageal varices in children and adolescents with portal hypertension--a manometric study].

Morphological changes of the oesophageal wall, induced by injection sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices, may produce functional disturbances which are difficult to evaluate especially in children. Therefore manometric studies in 33 consecutive patients with portal hypertension (age: 2-18 years) were performed and functional parameters as of the oesophagus and oesophageal sphincter were recorded in different stages of treatment. The results were compared to findings in healthy children. From our studies we could conclude that functional disturbances seen in sclerolised patients must be set in relation to functional changes which we could see in patients without treatment of oesophageal varices. Endosclerosis affects essential parameters of oesophageal function; however, a large reversibility after termination of the treatment could be documented. The clinical relevance of the recorded findings and the diagnostic value of oesophageal manometry are discussed.