Slowly regressing acute pandysautonomia associated with esophageal achalasia: a case report

• Published in: Gastroentérologie clinique et biologique Vol. 32; no. 1 Pt. 1; pp. 46 - 50
• Main Authors: Assor, P, Negreanu, L, Picon, L, de Muret, A, Gilbert, B, Metman, E-H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - complications; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Electrocardiography; Enteral Nutrition; Esophageal Achalasia - etiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastrointestinal Diseases - etiology; Gastrointestinal Motility - physiology; Humans; Ileostomy; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - etiology; Urinary Bladder Diseases - etiology
• ISSN: 0399-8320
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gcb.2007.12.013

Acute pandysautonomia is a rare acute autonomic neuropathy that mainly affects young women. We report a case of idiopathic acute pandysautonomia associated with an esophageal achalasia in a 30-year-old woman. The clinical features were inaugural dysphagia followed by signs of parasympathetic failure of the entire digestive tract, bladder and pupils. Twenty-four hours of electrocardiographic recording showed involvement of sympathetic adrenergic nerves. Esophageal achalasia was patent on esophageal manometry. Upper digestive tract motility was first involved and then extended to the entire digestive tract with intestinal obstruction, which required emergency ileostomy. Recovery of autonomic functions was slow. After 16 months, dysphagia and gut paresis improved and digestive continuity was restored. In case of subacute intestinal pseudo-obstruction associated with autonomic dysfunction, acute pandysautonomia should be suspected. In our report, the association with esophageal achalasia is uncommon.