Figure 1
73 year old female with sensation of “lump in throat”.
Cricopharyngeal achalasia
73 year old female with sensation of “lump in throat”. A barium swallow was performed.
Cricopharyngeal achalasia or spasm is due to hypertrophy of the cricopharyngeus muscle with complete failure of relaxation. This may be secondary to gastroesophageal reflux, neuromuscular dysfunction of deglutition, Zenker’s diverticulum or associated with aging. It is mostly asymptomatic but can be a cause of dysphagia. This is best demonstrated with cine radiography or video esophagraphy. A smoothly outlined shelf projects from the posterior wall at the level of the pharyngoesophageal junction (C5/6 level). This may be associated with distension of the pharynx with overflow of barium into the larynx. Symptomatic cases can be treated with cricopharyngomyotomy or bougienage.
References
[1]
Dahnert W
Gastrointestinal tract.
In Radiology review manual.
Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 669 (1999).
[2]
Jones B
Functional abnormalities of the pharynx.
In Gore RM, Levine MS (ed) Textbook of gastrointestinal radiology.
WB Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 216-217 (2000).
Case information
| URL: | https://www.eurorad.org/case/775 |
| DOI: | 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.775 |
| ISSN: | 1563-4086 |
Figure 1
