Tracheal obstruction secondary to esophageal achalasia.
A 12-year-old girl presented with cough, emesis, and weight loss of 18-month duration. She was diagnosed as having achalasia of the esophagogastric junction. Flow-volume loops done because of the cough revealed a configuration consistent with variable intrathoracic tracheal obstruction. A barium swallow revealed the cause of obstruction to be massive dilatation of the esophagus. Balloon dilatation of the esophageal sphincter resolved all symptoms and normalized the flow-volume loops. This case illustrates that some pulmonary symptoms in achalasia can be due to direct tracheal obstruction in addition to the usual aspiration of esophageal contents.
Akhter
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, IL 60649.
Newcomb
R W
RW
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002404:Catheterization; D002648:Child; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D011859:Radiography; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*