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Knowledge concerning oesophageal pathophysiology has until recently lagged far behind that of the pathophysiology of other portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract for reasons that still remain unclear. Yet, it is the fact that, at least until the last few decades, interest in the oesophagus was primarily based on pathologic anatomy. Even today, much remains to be learnt on the pathophysiology of oesophageal disease. The recent development of methods of studying both morphology and function of the oesophagus has resulted in a better understanding of normal and abnormal oesophageal patterns with a corresponding improvement in treatment, which is now physiologically, rather than anatomically based. As customary, the World OESO Congresses are planned to provide each time a thorough analysis of a specific topic in oesophageal disease. The 8th World Congress of OESO was devoted to the Foregut: Function and Dysfunction to emphasise the complex interaction between the oesophagus and the other portions of the upper GI tract, either in maintaining physiological function or in triggering oesophageal disease. The choice is a timely one because recent investigations have allowed new insights into the pathophysiology of these complex interactions to be gained. It is indeed becoming clear that there are intriguing pathophysiological abnormalities that account for upper GI symptoms and that more targeted therapy is needed to address the unmet clinical needs. Within this framework, specific sessions were devoted to disorders of secretion, of motility as well as of nutrition with a special emphasis on recent advances. Unlike some of the other publications, this volume does not merely represent the proceedings of an International Congress. With its now established and successful format, it collects the answers to 130 key questions, offered by 110 basic scientists and clinicians the world over, all of whom have personally contributed to the topic, in order to provide a glimpse of what may lie ahead. The easy-to-read format will allow the practising and busy physician to keep up efficiently with advances in diagnosis and therapy in this rapidly evolving field.
