title: Achalasia-like findings in a case with delayed diagnosis of H-type tracheoesophageal fistula.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Sihhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boybeyi
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Köse
authors.forename: Deniz Doğru
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Ersöz
authors.forename: Mithat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haliloglu
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karnak
authors.forename: Mehmet Emin
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Senocak
mesh_terms: 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*