Patients with achalasia tolerate considerable distension of the esophagus. Respiratory symptoms usually are due to regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of retained food rather than to a space-occupying mechanism. We describe a case of previously undiagnosed achalasia presenting in an elderly woman with symptoms consistent with tracheal obstruction of acute onset.
WeinstockLBClouseRE. Esophageal physiology: Normal and abnormal motor function. Am J Gastroenterol1987; 82: 399–405.
2.
CastellDO. The spectrum of esophageal motility disorders. Gastroenterology1979; 76: 639–40.
3.
CassellaRRBrownALSayreGPEllisFHJr.. Achalasia of the esophagus: Pathologic and etiologic considerations. Ann Surg1964; 160: 474–86.
4.
VantrappenGHellemansJ. Oesophageal spasm and other muscular dysfunction. Clin Gastroenterol1982; 11: 453–77.
5.
HollowayRHDoddsWJHelmJFHoganWJDentJArndorferRC. Integrity of cholinergic innervation to the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia. Gastroenterology1986; 90: 924–9.
6.
OuyangACohenS. Motor disorders of the esophagus. In: BerkJE, ed. Bockus gastroenterology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1985: 690–704.
7.
BreakeyASDotterCTSteinbergI. Pulmonary complications of cardiospasm. N Engl J Med1951; 245: 445–6.
8.
McLeanRDWStewartCJWhyteDGC. Acute thoracic inlet obstruction in achalasia of the esophagus. Thorax1976; 31: 456–9.
9.
KingDMStricklandB. An unusual cause of thoracic inlet obstruction. Br J Radiol1979; 52: 910–3.
10.
Carlsson-NordlanderB. Acute upper airway obstruction in patient with achalasia. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1987; 113: 885–7.
11.
BelloCTLewinJRNorrisCMFarrarGE. Achalasia (cardiospasm): Report of a case with extreme and unusual manifestations. Ann Intern Med1950; 32: 1184–90.
12.
MorrowACoadyTJSeatonD. Tracheal compression relieved by cardiomyotomy. Thorax1982; 37: 776–7.
13.
ChijimatsuYInatomiKTamuraMHommaH. Airway obstruction in achalasia. Chest1980; 78: 348–50.
14.
TravisKWSainiVKO'SullivanPT. Upper-airway obstruction and achalasia of the esophagus. Anesthesiology1981; 54: 87–8.
