title: Feeding difficulties in a neonate with primary cricopharyngeal achalasia treated by cricopharyngeal myotomy.
abstract: Primary cricopharyngeal achalasia resulting from failure of relaxation of the cricopharyngeus muscle is a rare but significant cause of dysphagia in newborns. Symptoms may be nonspecific. Although surgical management with cricopharyngeal myotomy has been employed successfully for the treatment of this disorder, swallowing difficulties may persist postoperatively, probably due to association with other esophageal abnormalities. Alternative methods of feeding may be required to ensure adequate nutrient intake. We report the case of a full-term, 2-day-old neonate with this rare clinical condition, treated by myotomy, in whom swallowing difficulties persisted for several weeks after surgery. Satisfactory nutrition was maintained postoperatively with the support of a nasogastric feeding tube until improvement in feeding intolerance. Complete symptomatic relief was attained at the age of 5 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Eftichia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korakaki
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hatzidaki
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manoura
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velegrakis
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Charissis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gourgiotis
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulou
mesh_terms: D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome