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Oesophageal achalasia causing respiratory obstruction
Author(s) -
WESTBROOK J. L.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1992.tb01952.x
Subject(s) - medicine , achalasia , respiratory system , surgery , esophageal sphincter , sphincter , decompression , anesthesia , esophagus , reflux , disease
Summary A patient with complete respiratory obstruction due to massive oesophageal dilatation is described. Immediate relief of symptoms and disappearance of the oesophageal swelling occurred after administration of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate. Nitrates cause a reduction in the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure in patients with oesophageal achalasia and in this case it is presumed that spasm of the lower oesophageal sphincter had been a major factor preventing decompression of the dilated oesophagus.