The Common Vein Copyright 2008

Achalasia

Achalasia with Mass in the Right Upper and Right Lower Chest
74233c02 mass mass effect on the trachea esophagus GE junction enlarged bezoar spasm incoordination dx achalasia of the esophagus space CXR plain X-ray barium swallow Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD

 

Achalasia with Bezoar and Retained Pills
74233c01 mass mass effect on the trachea esophagus GE junction enlarged bezoar spasm incoordination dx achalasia of the esophagus space CXR plain X-ray barium swallow Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD

 

Achalasia with Enormous Esophagus, Bezoar and Rat Tail Esophagus
74233c03 mass mass effect on the trachea esophagus GE junction enlarged bezoar spasm incoordination dx achalasia of the esophagus space CXR plain X-ray barium swallow Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD

 

 

Gastric Pull Through
76384 esophagus carcinoma cancer gastric pull through surgery treatment differential diagnosis dd dilated esophagus barium swallow Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 76386c01

 

 

 

Gastric Pull Through
76384 esophagus carcinoma cancer gastric pull through surgery treatment differential diagnosis dd dilated esophagus barium swallow Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 76386c01

Diagnosis

The diagnosis can be made using different modalities.  After a complete and thorough history taking, a suspicion often leads to a barium study of upper endoscopy.  A barium study would demonstrate a dilated esophagus, often with an air fluid level, and the tapered ?bird-beak? narrowing at the distal esophagus.

 

 

Air Fluid Level  and Rat Tail Appearance of the LES in Achalasia
Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 01245c code esophagus + fx dilated + fx air fluid level + CXR chest X-ray plain film + fx beak sign dx achalasia of the esophagus barium swallow upper GI UGI imaging radiology contrast X-Ray

 

Upstream Dilitation and Downstream Focal Narrowing and Thickening  of the LES in Achalasia
46561c01.800 esophagus stomach gastroesophageal junction fx enlarged esophagus megaesophagus fx dilated fx narrowing at the GE junction fx stenosis dx achalasia CTscan Davidoff MD

 

Upstream Dilitation and Downstream Focal Narrowing with Fluid and Debris Accumulation at the  LES in Achalasia
73473 esophagus Dilated esophagus with liquid and debris at a tight LES achalasia endoscopy Courtesy Joshua Namias