Presentation
Dysphagia and chest pains. He has never been to South America.
Patient Data
Age: 45 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Achalasia
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The gastric gas bubble is absent. Lungs appear normal. Heart and mediastinal contours appear normal.
From the case:
Achalasia
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Single and double contrast barium swallow show markedly delayed emptying of the esophagus and smooth tapering of the distal esophagus, compatible with failure of sphincter to relax.
From the case:
Achalasia
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The esophagus is dilated and distally there is smooth circumferential wall thickening. Fluid-fluid level is present in the esophagus. There is no evidence of aspiration at this time. No lymphadenopathy.
Case Discussion
The thick-walled esophagus was biopsied and there was no evidence of malignancy. As in most patients with achalasia, this case was idiopathic.