Evaluation of esophageal diseases.

The diagnosis of esophageal disease can be made by history alone in 80 percent of patients. Primary symptoms include dysphagia, odynophagia, heartburn and central chest pain. Although these symptoms may overlap, one esophageal symptom often predominates. This observation and an understanding of the available diagnostic tests enable the clinician to develop an algorithmic approach to the diagnosis of esophageal diseases.