A Patient With Dysphagia due to an Aortic Aneurysm

Abstract

Dysphagia aortica is difficulty in swallowing caused by extrinsic compression of the esophagus due to an ectatic, tortuous, or aneurysmatic atherosclerotic thoracic aorta. This condition is very uncommon, and it is usually associated with old age, women with short stature, hypertension, and kyphosis. We report herein a case involving a patient with dysphagia who had an aortic aneurysm.

A Case of Dysphagia Aortica Caused by a Large Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

“…We misdiagnosed hyponatremia as the cause of his symptoms, due to the history of long-term use of diuretics for heart failure. In addition, the classical manometric features suggestive of dysphagia aortica can also be seen in normal subjects [7]. to open surgery because it is less invasive and has shown low morbidity rate in TAA treatment.…”

Cardiovascular dysphagia — anatomical and clinical implications

“…Upper portion of oesophagus may be impinged on directly by the thoracic aorta, and the lower portion of the oesophagus may lie between the heart and descending aorta or deformity of the distal oesophagus by a tortuous atherosclerotic aorta [75]. Dysphagia aortica is typically found in elderly women with short stature, hypertension and kyphosis [56], often with mild and indolent dysphagia [78]. Chronic thoracic aortic aneurysm may cause chronic dysphagia [85].…”

Surgical Relief of Esophageal Compression by Thoracic Aorta

“…This condition is very uncommon, and it is usually associated with old age, women with short stature, hypertension, and kyphosis. It should be differentiated from other causes of dysphagia, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or motility disorders, because dysphagia aortica often requires surgical intervention that can significantly reduce the morbidity and these interventions can be curative in some situations [1]. Some patients with dysphagia aortica were delayed in diagnosis, even got fatal outcome [2,3].…”