title: Oesophageal achalasia causing respiratory obstruction.
abstract: A patient with complete respiratory obstruction due to massive oesophageal dilatation is described. Immediate relief of symptoms and disappearance of the oesophageal swelling occurred after administration of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate. Nitrates cause a reduction in the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure in patients with oesophageal achalasia and in this case it is presumed that spasm of the lower oesophageal sphincter had been a major factor preventing decompression of the dilated oesophagus.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Westbrook
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005996:Nitroglycerin