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Case Reports
. 2025 Dec 12;12(12):e01927.
doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001927. eCollection 2025 Dec.

Pseudoachalasia in an Achalasia Patient: A Ticking Time Bomb

Affiliations
Case Reports

Pseudoachalasia in an Achalasia Patient: A Ticking Time Bomb

Hannah W F Goodrich et al. ACG Case Rep J. .

Abstract

The differential for dysphagia is broad, with dysphagia aortica being an incredibly rare cause of pseudoachalasia. In a patient with longstanding, refractory achalasia who presents with progressive dysphagia, Occam's Razor would suggest that the underlying cause remains achalasia itself. We present a case in which a patient with known achalasia developed concurrent pseudoachalasia due to dysphagia aortica. This case underscores the diligence of her gastroenterologist in identifying an unsuspected aortic aneurysm-an entity that the cardiothoracic surgery team deemed "a ticking time bomb." It is critical to always consider Hickam's dictum: Patients may have multiple diseases simultaneously.

Keywords: achalasia; aortic aneurysm; dysphagia; endoscopic ultrasound; pseudoachalasia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Images from the endoscopic ultrasound. (A) Midesophageal tortuosity, concerning for extrinsic compression. (B) Fundoplication from previous Heller myotomy, confirmed to be loose and not the cause of the patient's dysphagia. (C) Thoracic large saccular dilated vessel (43.6 mm, denoted by the yellow dashed line), later determined to be the aorta.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Images from the gated computed tomography scan, revealing a large saccular aneurysm (outlined by the yellow dashed line) causing compression on the esophagus.

References

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