Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0014848 (achalasia)
 2,804 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A prospective study of 595 patients treated by the Thoracic Surgical Unit (TSU) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan between July 1975 and December 1977 was carried out to determine the pattern of thoracic surgical diseases in Nigeria and to prove or disprove the rarity of certain cardiopulmonary diseases in tropical Africa. This review shows that pyogenic infections of the lung and pleura constitute the largest percentage (38.5) of the thoracic surgical diseases in Nigeria. Although pulmonary tuberculosis accounts for only 23.4 percent of our total inpatient load, it constitutes about 60 percent of our outpatient clinic practice. Cardiovascular diseases form 12.9 percent, notably congenital and acquired valvular heart diseases. An interesting finding was the occasional association of pyomyositis with pyogenic pericarditis and empyema thoracis. This triad is being investigated. Chest trauma was the most common thoracic surgical emergency accounting for 9.2 percent of the total thoracic surgical pathology. The most common causes of dysphagia are strictures from corrosive esophagitis, achalasia, and carcinoma of the esophagus. Present experience confirms the rarity of hiatus hernia, reflux esophagitis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and, perhaps, carcinoma of the lung among Nigerians.
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PMID:Pattern of thoracic surgical diseases in Nigeria: experience at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. 70 99

A case of achalasia complicated by Mycobacterium fortuitum pulmonary infection and empyema is reported. This association has been documented in the medical literature. Possible mechanisms explaining this association are discussed.
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PMID:Association of achalasia and pulmonary Mycobacterium fortuitum infection. 371 50

This case report of a 37-year-old man with giant leiomyoma details some of the problems encountered in diagnosing and treating this rare form of the disease. Initial studies at another institution were interpreted as demonstrating achalasia, and thoracotomy was later undertaken because of a mistaken diagnosis of a pericardiac mass, which led to a biopsy and a resulting esophagopleural fistula. Subsequent esophagectomy and drainage of empyema space were employed to remove the tumor, which had ulcerated and bled, as well as to drain the empyema cavity. The tumor measured 20.5 cm long and weighed 540 gm. Gastrointestinal continuity was reestablished by colon interposition, and the patient has been well for the succeeding 6 years.
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PMID:Giant leiomyoma of esophagus. 377 34

A retrospective survey was made of all the patients resident in the Nottingham area who presented with achalasia between 1959 and 1983. Initial treatment consisted of pneumatic bag dilatation in 26, hydrostatic bag dilatation in one and surgical cardiomyotomy in 22. Those treated by dilatation were older (mean age 52 years) than those treated by cardiomyotomy (mean age 42 years). Seven patients died without receiving active treatment because of old age and infirmity and in 6 this occurred before the introduction of endoscopic dilatation to the area. Initial treatment by cardiomyotomy was associated with a lower recurrence rate than treatment by bag dilatation but with a longer stay in hospital and a higher incidence of complications including empyema, chest infections and oesophageal stricture.
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PMID:Audit of surgical and pneumatic/hydrostatic treatment of achalasia in a defined population. 380 41

A patient with dysphagia initially diagnosed as achalasia but now thought to have spinocerebellar degeneration manifesting itself in the esophagus as achalasia, developed an intradiaphragmatic abscess, presumably as a complication of pneumatic dilation of the esophagus. This previously unreported complication occurred as a result of transmural spread of bacteria at the time of dilatation with seeding of the diaphragmatic muscle. An intradiaphragmatic abscess may be mistakenly diagnosed clinically and radiologically as a subphrenic abscess or loculated empyema. Management of intradiaphragmatic abscess is discussed briefly.
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PMID:Intradiaphragmatic abscess. An extremely rare complication of pneumatic dilatation of the esophagus. 402 15

Between 1976 and 1993, 22 patients with intrathoracic esophageal perforations, none associated with carcinoma, underwent primary repair regardless of the interval between perforation and the time of repair. Eighteen perforations were iatrogenic and four were spontaneous. The interval from perforation to operation was less than 12 hours in 10 patients, 12 to 24 hours in 3, and more than 24 hours in 9. Principles of repair included (1) a local esophagomyotomy proximal and distal to the tear to expose the mucosal defect and normal mucosa beyond, (2) debridement of the mucosal defect and closure over a bougie, and (3) reapproximation of the muscle. The repair was buttressed with muscle or pleura in five patients. Associated distal obstruction caused by reflux stricture was treated with dilation and fundoplication in four patients. Of the four patients with achalasia, two underwent esophagomyotomy with a fundoplication and one underwent myotomy alone. There was one death. The esophageal repair healed primarily in 17 patients (80%). Four patients, three of whom underwent repair more than 24 hours after the perforation, had leaks at the site of repair. All four fistulas eventually healed with drainage alone, two with simple tube thoracostomy and two with rib resection and empyema tube placement. In the absence of cancer or an irreversible distal obstruction, meticulous repair of an intrathoracic esophageal perforation is the preferred approach, regardless of the duration of the injury, inasmuch as primary healing is likely, and the morbidity associated with prolonged drainage or diversion may be avoided.
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PMID:Intrathoracic esophageal perforation. The merit of primary repair. 781 90

Thoracic oesophageal perforation, a life-threatening condition, is a therapeutic challenge. A 20 year old male developed a lower oesophageal perforation following an abdominal cardiomyotomy for achalasia of the lower oesophagus. The resulting suppurative mediastinitis and left empyema thoracis were treated by decortication. The oesophageal perforation was closed using a transposition pedicle left latissimus dorsi muscle flap.
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PMID:Repair of thoracic oesophageal perforation with latissimus dorsi flap. 805 81

A 57-year-old man who had been complicated with achalasia for thirty years was admitted because of back pain and low grade fever. Chest X-p and Chest CT showed consolidation in the left lower lung field. His respiratory condition was diagnosed as lung abscess preoperatively. After systemic chemotherapy, surgical management was done for both achalasia and this inflammatory respiratory disease. In the operation by left thoracotomy, it was revealed that this case had empyema, not lung abscess. Thus decortication of left lung and esophagomyotomy were performed simultaneously. In the treatment of achalasia, respiratory complications due to aspiration may appear. In addition, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish empyema from lung abscess preoperatively. Therefore much care should be taken during operation in order to treat these respiratory diseases.
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PMID:[A surgical case of achalasia with empyema]. 830 9

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is one of the main medical revolutions of the past decade. For its satisfactory performance, the following prerequisites are essential: (1) knowledge and experience in thoracic surgery; (2) team of experienced anesthesiologists; (3) preoperative assessment of respiratory function; (4) adequate postoperative care; and (5) instruments specially designed for thoracoscopic surgery. VATS is routinely performed under general anesthesia with double lumen endotracheal intubation for separate control of each lung. Insufflation of carbon dioxide must not exceed 1-3 mm Hg. Too high pressure may cause harmful reduction of venous return and mediastinal shift with impairment of ventilation. Presence of adhesions should be determined by finger exploration of the pleural cavity. Operative ports should be placed carefully, avoiding damage to the intercostal nerves and vessels. The video technique can be used with efficiency for the following indications: pneumothorax, resection of pulmonary nodules, biopsies of lung, pleura and mediastinal structures, resection of mediastinal tumors, management of empyema, and hemostasis and closure of lacerations after trauma. Indications for esophageal procedures include esophagomyotomy for achalasia and resections of benign lesions. Repair of perforated esophagus is a matter of controversy, but in early stages it can be done thoracoscopically. Although video-pericardioscopy has been performed by some surgeons, this procedure can be done easier and faster using the direct approach without the video equipment. There are differences of opinion with regard to major pulmonary and esophageal resections for cancer. The apparent advantage of diminished pain is offset by inadequate resection, spread of malignant cells and potential damage to the resected specimen with loss of important information concerning pathology. Complications of VATS are few, and include prolonged air leak, dysrhythmia, respiratory failure, bleeding and infection. Due to progress over the past several years, VATS has become an inseparable part of thoracic surgery and should be included in the basic training of every thoracic surgeon.
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PMID:Video-assisted thoracic surgery--state of the art. 1121 70

Epiphrenic diverticula are very rarely seen and are often associated with achalasia, esophageal body dysmotility, and a high resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different treatment options for patients with epiphrenic diverticula. Patients with an epiphrenic diverticulum were divided into two treatment groups: surgical and nonsurgical. Retrospective chart review was performed, and a symptom questionnaire was created. There were six patients in the nonsurgical group and 11 patients in the surgical group. The mean follow-up was 26.4 months. Ten patients had a laparoscopic operation performed. One patient was operated on thoracoscopically and had to be converted to a thoracotomy. Two diverticula were inverted with good results. There was one postoperative esophageal leak where no myotomy was added. An empyema developed in another patient at 4 weeks after surgery. One patient, in whom no antireflux procedure was performed, reported postoperative heartburn. Patients in the nonsurgical group had smaller diverticula, were not good candidates for surgery, or were asymptomatic. Esophageal diverticula are very rarely seen. Asymptomatic patients may not require therapy. If surgery is performed and the diverticulum is large, it should be removed. The laparoscopic approach is the surgical treatment of choice. A long myotomy and an antireflux procedure should be added to avoid esophageal leakage at the line of repair and gastroesophageal reflux.
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PMID:Management of epiphrenic diverticula. 1459 66


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