Air esophagogram and intestinal pseudoocclusion in a patient with scleroderma.
Air in the esophagus is unusual because it is collapsible. Its finding on a chest roentgenogram, particularly when not associated with a fluid level indicative of stricture, should strongly suggest systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). We describe a patient with scleroderma with intestinal pseudoocclusion and an air esophagogram. Study of chest roentgenograms of 83 patients with scleroderma, including those of 7 with pseudoocclusion, revealed no other instance of air esophagogram. This radiological sign, although rare, should suggest scleroderma and may be particularly useful in patients with "systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma."
Kraus
A
A
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Alarcón-Segovia
D
D
D000388:Air; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging