Esophageal achalasia of unknown etiology in children

• Published in: Jornal de pediatria Vol. 80; no. 6; pp. 523 - 526
• Main Authors: Fernandez, Pedro M, Lucio, Luiz A G, Pollachi, Fabíola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-11-2004
• Subjects: Child; Esophageal Achalasia - diagnosis; Esophageal Achalasia - etiology; Esophageal Achalasia - surgery; Esophagoscopy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Manometry
• ISSN: 0021-7557
• DOI: 10.2223/1268

To report a case of a 9-year-old female presented with esophageal achalasia and approached with surgery. The authors discuss the treatment and make a literature review on the topic.
Childhood esophageal achalasia is an unusual disease, often with unknown etiology. The main symptoms are esophageal vomits, dysphagia and weight loss. The diagnosis can be made by esophagogram and endoscopy, but the main examination is the esophageal manometry. Even though the surgical approach is a well-established therapy, some alternative treatments have been used, such as the endoscopy balloon dilatation and the use of botulinum toxin.
Esophageal achalasia is a rare disease in childhood, with unknown etiology. The presentation may be confused with gastroeshophageal reflux, sometimes causing a diagnosis delay. The surgical approach, as well as an antireflux procedure, is the treatment of choice.