"Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back
Introduction. Achalasia is a rare esophageal disorder which, due to frequent presence of both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, can initially be referred either to pulmonologist or gastroenterologist. Case Outline. A 50-year-old patient was initially referred to gastroenterologist...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Serbian Medical Society
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Srpski Arhiv za Celokupno Lekarstvo |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0370-8179/2016/0370-81791602085O.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818389964893716480 |
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| author | Obradović Dušanka Joveš-Sević Biljana Stojanović Miloš Ilić Miroslav Ivanov Igor |
| author_facet | Obradović Dušanka Joveš-Sević Biljana Stojanović Miloš Ilić Miroslav Ivanov Igor |
| author_sort | Obradović Dušanka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction. Achalasia is a rare esophageal disorder which, due to frequent
presence of both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, can initially be
referred either to pulmonologist or gastroenterologist. Case Outline. A
50-year-old patient was initially referred to gastroenterologist with the
following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, occasional hiccups, weight loss, chest
pain, dysphonia, and dry cough. After chest X-ray, the patient was referred
to pulmonologist with differential diagnosis for pulmonary infiltration and
thoracic aortic aneurysm. Pulmonologist interpreted chest X-ray as showing
paratracheal mediastinal enlargement with air-fluid levels, thus suspecting
achalasia. Computed tomography scan of the thorax with per os contrast showed
extremely dilated esophagus with food stasis. The patient was then referred
to thoracic surgeon, who ordered additional diagnostics (esophageal passage
with contrast, esophagomanometry, esophagogastroduodenoscopy), and finally
performed Heller myotomy. Postoperatively there were no complications, and
the patient was symptom free during the follow-up. Conclusion. Although
achalasia can also result in respiratory symptoms, fastidious anamnesis and
accurate radiological interpretation are essential for the correct diagnosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T04:50:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-37e20947bbf4496a8b3e1dfad7e20542 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0370-8179 2406-0895 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T04:50:06Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Serbian Medical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Srpski Arhiv za Celokupno Lekarstvo |
| spelling | doaj.art-37e20947bbf4496a8b3e1dfad7e205422022-12-21T23:16:34ZengSerbian Medical SocietySrpski Arhiv za Celokupno Lekarstvo0370-81792406-08952016-01-011441-2858910.2298/SARH1602085O0370-81791602085O"Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and backObradović Dušanka0Joveš-Sević Biljana1Stojanović Miloš2Ilić Miroslav3Ivanov Igor4Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Emergency Pulmonology Clinic - High Dependency Unit, Sremska KamenicaInstitute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Emergency Pulmonology Clinic - High Dependency Unit, Sremska KamenicaInstitute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Radiology Department, Sremska KamenicaInstitute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Thoracic Surgery Clinic, Sremska KamenicaInstitute for Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina, Coronary Care Unit, Sremska KamenicaIntroduction. Achalasia is a rare esophageal disorder which, due to frequent presence of both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, can initially be referred either to pulmonologist or gastroenterologist. Case Outline. A 50-year-old patient was initially referred to gastroenterologist with the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, occasional hiccups, weight loss, chest pain, dysphonia, and dry cough. After chest X-ray, the patient was referred to pulmonologist with differential diagnosis for pulmonary infiltration and thoracic aortic aneurysm. Pulmonologist interpreted chest X-ray as showing paratracheal mediastinal enlargement with air-fluid levels, thus suspecting achalasia. Computed tomography scan of the thorax with per os contrast showed extremely dilated esophagus with food stasis. The patient was then referred to thoracic surgeon, who ordered additional diagnostics (esophageal passage with contrast, esophagomanometry, esophagogastroduodenoscopy), and finally performed Heller myotomy. Postoperatively there were no complications, and the patient was symptom free during the follow-up. Conclusion. Although achalasia can also result in respiratory symptoms, fastidious anamnesis and accurate radiological interpretation are essential for the correct diagnosis.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0370-8179/2016/0370-81791602085O.pdfachalasiachest paindysphonia |
| spellingShingle | Obradović Dušanka Joveš-Sević Biljana Stojanović Miloš Ilić Miroslav Ivanov Igor "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back Srpski Arhiv za Celokupno Lekarstvo achalasia chest pain dysphonia |
| title | "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back |
| title_full | "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back |
| title_fullStr | "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back |
| title_full_unstemmed | "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back |
| title_short | "Stray" achalasia: From gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back |
| title_sort | stray achalasia from gastroenterologist to pulmonologist and back |
| topic | achalasia chest pain dysphonia |
| url | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0370-8179/2016/0370-81791602085O.pdf |
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