A 38 y.o. man complains of having occasional problems with swallowing of both hard and fluid food for many months. Sometimes he feels intense pain behind his breast bone, epecially after hot drinks. There are asphyxia onsets at night. He has not put off weight. Objectively: his general condition is satisfactory, skin is of usual colour. Examination revealed no changes of gastrointestinal tract. X-ray picture of thorax organs presents esophagus dilatation with level of fluid in it. What is the preliminary diagnosis?

Answer options

1. Cancer of esophagus
2. Gastroesophageal reflux
3. Myastenia
4. Esophagus candidosis
5. Esophagus achalasia

Explanation

A 38 y.o. man complains of having occasional problems with swallowing of both hard and fluid food for many months. Sometimes he feels intense pain behind his breast bone, especially after hot drinks. There are asphyxia onsets at night. He has not put off weight. Objectively: his general condition is satisfactory, skin is of usual colour. Examination revealed no changes of gastrointestinal tract. X-ray picture of thorax organs presents esophagus dilatation with level of fluid in it. What is the preliminary diagnosis?Achalasia is a condition in which the muscles of the lower part of the esophagus fail to relax, preventing solid and liquid food from passing into the stomach. Bird beak or rat tail (esophageal dilatation with the level of fluid) radiological sign is specific for achalasia.