Achalasia: an unusual cause of airway obstruction.
Achalasia is a disorder of the lower oesophageal sphincter and the smooth musculature of the oesophageal body. Although oesophageal obstruction is common, concurrent airway obstruction is exceptional. A case is presented of a 79-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department requiring intubation following out-of-hospital airway obstruction and subsequent respiratory arrest.
Bruijns
S R
SR
Emergency Department, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. scbruijns@googlemail.com
Hicks
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography