Acute airway obstruction in achalasia. Possible role of defective belch reflex

Abstract

Achalasia presenting as an acute airway obstruction is a rarely reported phenomenon. The pathophysiology of this dramatic complication of achalasia remains an enigma. Our patient with achalasia presented with an acute airway compromise necessitating emergent endotracheal intubation. We review the available literature on this interesting yet rare complication of achalasia. We also add some information to help elucidate the possible pathophysiologic mechanism of this emergency, proposing that specific upper esophageal sphincter manometry may indicate abnormality of the "belch reflex."