Achalasia is characterized by incomplete lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation and aperistalsis of the oesophagus. It may
present with dyspnea symptom. We presented a case misdiagnosed an asthma .
Methods: Case report
Results:
An 18-years-old male patient applied to a clinic with the complaints of cough, dyspnea,
wheezing and diagnosed as asthma. Although his asthma treatment for 4 years was increased in time while he did not recover, he
was reffered to our hospital with the diagnosis of uncontrolled asthma. On chest X-ray there was a mild upper mediastinal
enlargement and chest computed tomography revealed an over-dilated oesophagus constricting the trachea. The patient
was referred to chest surgery clinic with a suspected diagnosis of achalasia. Barium-oesophagogram and endoscopic evaluation
of the oesophagus confirmed the diagnosis of achalasia. The patient underwent Heller myotomy and oesophagogastrostomy.
He was recovered in one week after the surgery without any complaint of dyspnea. Spirometry tests and
chest X-ray resulted normal in one year. With this case of achalasia who used asthma treatment unnecessarily
Conclusions: We wanted to emphasize the importance of differential diagnosis of difficult asthma.