[Dysphagia and Sonography: what Association?]

Abstract

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by dysphagia, chest pain, and drug-resistant reflux symptoms. A detailed anamnesis and esophageal manometry are essential tools for a correct diagnosis. We present a case of a 31 years old woman with typical achalasia symptoms misdiagnosed for many years due to a complex background picture. Despite the evolution in medical sciences, this clinical case underlines the cornerstones of medical profession: patient-physician relation and bedside clinical approach. At the same time, it confirms the increasing role of ultrasonography as a simple but essential tool for a complete general-internal medicine evaluation.

Keywords: Achalasie; Fehldiagnose; Ultraschall-Diagnostik; achalasia; achalasie; allgemeine Innere Medizin; erreur de diagnostic; general internal medicine; misdiagnosis; médecine interne générale; ultrasound diagnostic; échographie.