Intradiaphragmatic abscess. An extremely rare complication of pneumatic dilatation of the esophagus.
A patient with dysphagia initially diagnosed as achalasia but now thought to have spinocerebellar degeneration manifesting itself in the esophagus as achalasia, developed an intradiaphragmatic abscess, presumably as a complication of pneumatic dilation of the esophagus. This previously unreported complication occurred as a result of transmural spread of bacteria at the time of dilatation with seeding of the diaphragmatic muscle. An intradiaphragmatic abscess may be mistakenly diagnosed clinically and radiologically as a subphrenic abscess or loculated empyema. Management of intradiaphragmatic abscess is discussed briefly.
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003964:Diaphragm; D004106:Dilatation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans