[Generalized weakness in pre-existing achalasia].

Abstract

Several endoscopic dilatations of the distal esophagus had been performed on this 77 year old woman with achalasia and secondary epiphrenic diverticulum. At present, swallowing was not essentially hampered and the body weight was stable. She was admitted for general weakness and a fall. The investigations revealed a traumatic pelvic fracture, as well as microcytic hypochromic anemia and marked hypoproteinemia. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract showed an extreme inflammatory reaction of the mucosa. It was postulated that bacterial overgrowth had spread from the esophageal diverticulum to the upper intestinal tract and induced infectious anemia and protein-loosing enteropathy. Anemia and hypoproteinemia responded well to a treatment with cotrimotazole but relapsed after discontinuation of the antibiotics.

• Authors: G Schulthess
• Journal: Praxis (Praxis (Bern 1994)) Vol. 86 Issue 27-28 Pg. 1124-8 (Jul 02 1997) ISSN: 1661-8157 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Allgemeine Schwäche bei vorbestehender Achalasie.
• PMID: 9324724 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Anemia, Hypochromic (etiology)
• Bacterial Infections (etiology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Diverticulum, Esophageal (complications, therapy)
• Esophageal Achalasia (complications, therapy)
• Fatigue (etiology)
• Female
• Gastroenteritis (etiology)
• Humans
• Protein-Losing Enteropathies (etiology)