Fixed corkscrew pattern of the esophagus.

The radiographic, manometric and endoscopic evaluation of an alcoholic patient with dysphagia, a mid esophageal diverticulum and "corkscrewing" of the distal esophagus is reported. The patient displayed a constant deformity of the distal esophagus which was associated with progressive but abnormally high amplitude peristaltic waves. There was no manometric evidence of esophageal spasm. These findings indicate that manometric evidence of tertiary contractions may be absent in some patients with a corkscrew esophagus and that this abnormal configuration may become fixed.