UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Although Heller myotomy is one of the most effective treatments for achalasia, it may be associated with early or late symptom relapse in some patients. Therefore, additional treatment is required to achieve better control of symptoms. AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pneumatic balloon dilation (PBD) in patients with symptom relapse after Heller myotomy. METHOD...

BACKGROUND The occurrence of the pharyngoesophageal, or Zenker diverticulum is not frequent in the national scenario, and the technique of the diverticulectomy with cricomyotomy in medium and great dimension diverticula is still the most indicated. Because the resection of the diverticulum requires the suture of the pharynx, dehiscence can occur, thereafter delaying swallowing. Hence, the idea ...

PURPOSE Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare entity, with only a few cases reported, especially in adolescents. We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of SPM in adolescents and the diagnostic implications of computed tomography (CT) and esophagography therein. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective descriptive study was conducted as a review of medical records of 416 adol...

In order to determine the frequency of dysphagia in primary carcinoma of the lung we reviewed the records of 615 consecutive hospital admissions which took place over a 9%-year period; the incidence was 2.2 per cent in 405 proved cases. The mechanism is esophageal involvement and compression by subcarinal and periesophageal lymph nodes. Dysphagia is not an early symptom; it indicates advanced d...

AST is commonly associated with pyriform sinus-thyroid fistula in children. Radiologic findings of AST are documented in a few reports. We report a new sign we term the "emerging echogenic tract sign," which reflects a patent air-containing pyriform sinus-thyroid fistula on follow-up US. Recognition of this sign is an important finding suggesting an associated pyriform sinus-thyroid fistula in ...

A 42-year-old man presented with a two-year history of progressive dysphagia and hoarseness. Esophagogram and endoscopy revealed submucosal mass effect on the upper esophagus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an elongated mass in the retrotracheal region of the lower neck with extension to the posterior mediastinum. Partial tumor resection and histopathological evalua...

PURPOSE To evaluate the topical effects of mitomycin C (MMC) in rats, with or without esophageal dilation, in different moments after esophageal caustic injury with NaOH10%. METHODS Forty eight Wistar rats were divided into six groups: "GS" infusion of 0.9% saline solution in the esophagus; "CG" infusion of 0.9% saline solution in the esophagus, with temporary ligation of the organ; "NTG" ind...

A 4-month-old infant was diagnosed with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. He was admitted to our hospital because of progressive poor findings and repeated aspiration pneumonia after surgical repair. An esophagogram demonstrated severe esophageal stricture. Flexible endoscopic dilatation was performed under general anesthesia, but sudden onset respiratory distress and progressiv...

Complete vascular rings are originated because of the persistence of the fourth aortic arches, which surround the trachea and esophagus partially or completely, compressing them. The most common type of complete vascular ring is the double aortic arch. Symptoms usually appear in the first months of life, and are provoked by esophageal and tracheal compression. The diagnosis is usually made thro...

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatological disease affecting the axial skeleton with various extra-articular complications. Dysphagia due to a giant anterior osteophyte of the cervical spine in AS is extremely rare. We present a 48-year-old male with AS suffering from progressive dysphagia to soft foods and liquids. Esophagography showed an anterior osteophyte at C5-C...