Childhood Achalasia: Barium Swallow is Gold Standard Even Before Histological Confirmation –Case Report

Abstract

Achalasia in pediatric age group is rare and the causative aetiology is neurodegeneration of the neuro-myenric plexus at the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). This may not be diagnosed properly because of inherent problems for the investigations in children. We present 14-years old boy who had been having frequent retrosternal chest pain with off and on vomiting of three years duration. There was no relief by the antacids and other symptomatic medication. He underwent barium swallow for the study of oesophagus and was diagnosed to be having oesophageal achalasia.