Pathologic aerophagia is a rare condition caused by excessive and inconvenient air swallowing. It is a self-limiting condition affecting mainly children exposed to high grades of stress but can be a persistent problem in children with psychiatric or neurological disorders.
Clinical presentation
- severe persisting abdominal distention: minimal in the morning, maximal in the evening
- abdominal pain
- belching/burping
- reduced appetite
- audible air swallowing: pathognomonic of the disease
- functional intestinal disorders: mainly constipation
- respiratory restriction in cases of extreme abdominal distention
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Plain radiograph shows diffuse gastric, small bowel and colon distention without signs of obstruction.
Complications
- volvulus
- intestinal necrosis or perforation
- death in severe cases
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