Diagnostic Imaging of the Pharynx and Esophagus

Cricopharyngeal achalasia — a rare cause of dysphagia

“…Other causes include pseudobulbar palsy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, poliomyelitis, thyroid myopathy, cervical vagotomy, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, oculopharyngeal syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hiatus hernia, but many cases are idiopathic [3]. We could not fi nd any cause in our patient.…”

“…We could not fi nd any cause in our patient. Cricopharyngeal achalasia has been implicated in the development of Zenker's diverticula [3].…”

“…Barium swallow fi lm shows a horizontal indentation or a bar on the posterior wall of a barium fi lled pharyngoesophageal area, at the level of C6 vertebra, caused by the unrelaxed cricopharyngeus muscle. Unlike most retropharyngeal masses, the cricopharyngeus does not exceed one cm in vertical dimension [3]. Endoscopic examination shows redundant folds of mucous membrane.…”