Disorders of Esophageal Function

An 18-Month-Old Child Suffering From Achalasia Cardia Successfully Treated With Pneumatic Dilation

“…Achalasia cardia is an idiopathic esophageal motility disorder characterized by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax during the deglutition ( 1 , 2 ). It is a chronic but benign disease of an unknown etiology and is a common cause of dysphagia ( 3 ).…”

“…It is a chronic but benign disease of an unknown etiology and is a common cause of dysphagia ( 3 ). The most common symptoms of Achalasia are regurgitation, vomiting, dysphagia, cough, recurrent pneumonia, and poor weight gain or weight loss ( 1 , 2 , 4 ). The “bird’s beak” appearance of the lower esophagus on the esophagogram (barium swallow) is a classical radiological finding in the cases of esophageal Achalasia ( 1 , 2 , 4 ).…”

“…The most common symptoms of Achalasia are regurgitation, vomiting, dysphagia, cough, recurrent pneumonia, and poor weight gain or weight loss ( 1 , 2 , 4 ). The “bird’s beak” appearance of the lower esophagus on the esophagogram (barium swallow) is a classical radiological finding in the cases of esophageal Achalasia ( 1 , 2 , 4 ). Achalasia is rare in children, with an estimated annual incidence of only 0.02–0.11 cases per 100 000 children, and it is more infrequent in the below 5-year age group ( 1 , 2 , 4 ).…”

“…The “bird’s beak” appearance of the lower esophagus on the esophagogram (barium swallow) is a classical radiological finding in the cases of esophageal Achalasia ( 1 , 2 , 4 ). Achalasia is rare in children, with an estimated annual incidence of only 0.02–0.11 cases per 100 000 children, and it is more infrequent in the below 5-year age group ( 1 , 2 , 4 ). The goal of treating achalasia cardia is the relief of the functional obstruction at the level of the gastroesophageal junction ( 3 ).…”