title: Low-amplitude distal esophageal spasm as a cause of severe dysphagia for solid food.
abstract: This case report presents a patient with progressive dysphagia, accompanied by weight loss, in the absence of organic disease. Esophageal motility studies initially failed to reveal a diagnosis. At simultaneous manometry and fluoroscopy, with bread/barium boluses, the diagnosis of esophageal spasm in a relatively weak esophagus was made. All conservative treatment modalities failed. Thoracoscopic myotomy resulted in partial field of symptoms. Finally, an esophagectomy was performed because of sever dysphagia accompanied by persisting weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Breumelhof
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Timmer
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: van Hees
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Obertop
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smout
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015155:Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D015431:Weight Loss