achalasia Flashcards
1
Q
What is Achalasia? (3)
A
Oesophageal dysmotility (impaired peristalsis)
- LOS fails to relax
- rare and idiopathic
2
Q
Symptoms of achalasia? (4)
A
-Non progressive dysphagia (struggle swallowing anything)
-Chesty Substernal pain
-Food regurgitation
-Aspiration pneumonia
3
Q
Investigations to diagnose Achalasia? (2)
A
Barium swallow with “bird beak”
- manometry (measure pressure across LOS) = diagnostic
4
Q
Complication of Achalasia?
A
May increase risk of oesphageal squamous cell lung cancer
5
Q
Treatment for Achalasia? (2)
A
Only surgery is curative (balloon stenting)
* drugs may help pre-surgery - nitrates, nifedipine
