Achalasia-like findings in a case with delayed diagnosis of H-type tracheoesophageal fistula.
H-type tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may lead to chronic respiratory disease if the diagnosis is delayed. Long-standing fistula causes esophageal distention which is named as pneumoesophagus or megaesophagus and possibly affects the motility of the esophageal body which may also be encountered as a part of tracheoesophageal anomalies. Both dysmotility and megaesophagus may mimic achalasia radiologically and the patient may be advised an unnecessary esophagocardiomyotomy. The authors report a 15-year-old adolescent with H-type TEF who has been diagnosed during investigations for chronic respiratory disease due to presumptive diagnosis of achalasia. The authors emphasize that a complete anatomical and functional evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract should be done before recommending operation for achalasia in patients with chronic respiratory disease. H-type TEF should be investigated to avoid unnecessary cardiomyotomy.
Boybeyi
Ozlem
O
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Sihhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey.
Köse
Mehmet
M
Ersöz
Deniz Doğru
DD
Haliloglu
Mithat
M
Karnak
Ibrahim
I
Senocak
Mehmet Emin
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*