I put together these medical challenges. The cases are hypothetical and do not necessarily represent actual or typical presentations of medical diseases. Disclaimer is at the bottom of this page.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Avian
This is a classic picture of a barium study in a patient presenting with trouble swallowing solids and liquids and difficulty belching.
Challenge: The diagnosis is easy. What is it? What does the word mean in Greek?
Achalasia cardiae...achalasia is greek for 'does not relax' Caused due to failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.The barium study shows a 'bird's beak' appearance
This is achalasia, Greek for "does not relax." Loss of peristalsis in the distal esophagus and failure of LES relaxation give rise to the classic "bird beak" appearance of the barium swallow.
This is a classic picture of a barium study in a patient presenting with trouble swallowing solids and liquids and difficulty belching.
Achalasia
ReplyDeleteYou can see the contracted lower esophageal sphincter and the dilated lower 1/3 of the esophagus filled with material.
Symptoms are similar to GURD but the barium swallow test shows that is not the cause in this case.
Manometry can confirm Achalasia.
Elevated pressure in the esophagus is the definitive test for Achalasia.
Achalasia cardiae...achalasia is greek for 'does not relax'
ReplyDeleteCaused due to failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.The barium study shows a 'bird's beak' appearance
achalasia?
ReplyDeleteAchalasia
ReplyDeletegreek "a-", failure or absence + "chalasis", relaxation
The next case is harder!
ReplyDelete-
Avian
This is achalasia, Greek for "does not relax." Loss of peristalsis in the distal esophagus and failure of LES relaxation give rise to the classic "bird beak" appearance of the barium swallow.
Source: UpToDate.