title: Achalasia esophagus; presenting as acute air way obstruction.
abstract: Acute airway obstruction from mega-esophagus is a rare presentation of achalasia. Mega-esophagus is generally considered when the transverse width of the esophagus is more than 7 cm. A 78 year old lady presented with longstanding history of productive cough and nocturnal dyspnoea. She was seen in the emergency department with acute exacerbation of dyspnoea after a bout of vomiting, containing semi-solid food with foetid smell. Her respiratory status deteriorated rapidly with onset of stridor, and cyanosis. Chest x-ray showed widening of mediastinum due to dilated esophagus with air-fluid level. Prompt, repeated, upper respiratory tract suction was carried out. A wide bore nasogastric tube was introduced, esophagus was decompressed with a gush of air and fluid, relieving the respiratory distress. This case illustrates an unusual presentation of achalasia underscoring the need for urgent, life-saving esophageal decompression. Hypotheses, regarding the mechanism of airway compromise, as well as, treatment options are reviewed.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Sheikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore.
authors: Anwaar A
authors: AA
authors: Khan
authors: S Waqar H
authors: SW
authors: Shah
authors: Altaf
authors: A
authors: Alam
authors: Arshad K
authors: AK
authors: Butt
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Shafqat
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Malik
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Amin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D002404:Catheterization; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans