Megaesophagus as a complication of achalasia: Case report and narrative literature review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.460

Keywords:

achalasia, dysphagia, esophageal motility, high-resolution manometry, megaesophagus

Abstract

Megaesophagus occurs in between 5% and 20% of patients with achalasia. It is a primary esophageal motor
disorder that has been known for more than 300 years. It should be considered in all patients with dysphagia
that is not explained by an obstructive or inflammatory process after a detailed endoscopic study. The following is the case of a patient with progressive dysphagia, in whom megaesophagus was documented as a
complication of untreated, long-standing achalasia. Chagas disease was ruled out by enzyme immunoassay
(ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IF), as recommended by current guidelines. Given the low frequency of this entity in our environment and the therapeutic implications for patients with achalasia, a narrative literature review was carried out to describe its diagnosis and treatment alternatives.

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Author Biographies

Julián Rondón-Carvajal, Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio

Médico residente de medicina interna, departamento de medicina Interna. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia

Carolina Ardila Hani, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio

Médico residente de medicina interna. Departamento de Medicina interna, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia

Albis Cecilia Hani de Ardila, Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio

Médico internista y gastroenterólogo. Unidad de gastroenterología y endoscopia digestiva

Rómulo Darío Vargas Rubio, Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio

Médico internista gastroenterólogo, unidad de gastroenterología y endoscopia digestiva. Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Departamento de medicina interna, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.

Ana María Leguízamo Naranjo, Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio

Médico internista gastroenterólogo. Unidad de gastroenterología y endscopia digsetiva, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Departamento de medicina interna, Pontiicia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia.

Raúl Antonio Cañadas Garrido, Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio

Médico internista y gastroenterólogo, Unidad de gastroenterología y endoscopia digestiva. Departamento de medicina interna de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia.

Gerardo Andrés Puentes Leal, Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio

Médico internista y gastroenterólogo, Unidad de gastroenterología y endoscopia digestiva. Departamento de medicina interna de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia.

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Figura 3. Esofagogastroduodenoscopia (endoscopia de las vías digestivas altas [EVDA]).

Published

2020-12-21

How to Cite

Rondón-Carvajal, J., Ardila Hani, C., Hani de Ardila, A. C., Vargas Rubio, R. D., Leguízamo Naranjo, A. M., Cañadas Garrido, R. A., & Puentes Leal, G. A. (2020). Megaesophagus as a complication of achalasia: Case report and narrative literature review. Revista Colombiana De Gastroenterología, 35(4), 551–557. https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.460

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