Achalasia with massive oesophageal dilation causing tracheomalacia and asthma symptoms

Achalasia is an uncommon oesophageal motor disorder characterized by failure of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter and muscle hypertrophy, resulting in a loss of peristalsis and a dilated oesophagus. Gastrointestinal symptoms are invariably present in all cases of achalasia observed in ad...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respiratory medicine case reports 2018-01, Vol.23, p.80-82
Main Authors: Gomez-Larrauri, Ana, Galloway, Simon, Niven, Rob
Format: Article
Language:English
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Case Report
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Summary:Achalasia is an uncommon oesophageal motor disorder characterized by failure of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter and muscle hypertrophy, resulting in a loss of peristalsis and a dilated oesophagus. Gastrointestinal symptoms are invariably present in all cases of achalasia observed in adults. We report a case of a 34 year-old female patient with long standing history of asthma-like symptoms, labelled as uncontrolled and steroid resistant asthma with no gastrointestinal manifestations. Thoracic CT scan revealed a massive oesophagus due to achalasia, which caused severe tracheomalacia as a result of tracheal compression. Her symptoms regressed completely after a laparoscopic Heller myotomy surgery intervention.
ISSN:2213-0071
2213-0071
DOI:10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.12.008