The broad differential diagnosis of vomiting: a case of achalasia

Authors:

Manzanares Santos S^a, Aroca Aguilar EM^b, López Vargas E^c, Tainta León L^d

^aPediatra. CS Occidente Azahara. Córdoba, España.
^bPediatra. CS Guadalquivir. Córdoba, España.
^cFacultativo Especialista de Pediatría. Hospital Santa Bárbara. Puertollano, Ciudad Real. España.
^dMIR-Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía. Córdoba, España.

Correspondence: S Manzanares . Email: silvsms@gmail.com

Reference of this article.:

Manzanares Santos S, Aroca Aguilar EM, López Vargas E, Tainta León L. El amplio diagnóstico diferencial de los vómitos: un caso de acalasia . Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2023;25:63-7..

Published in Internet: 07/02/2023

Abstract:

Vomiting is a very frequent reason for consultation in pediatrics. Their approach requires a wide differential diagnosis since they can be a symptom of both a functional disorder and important organic pathology. We present the case of a 13-year-old girl who debuted with vomiting as a guiding symptom of achalasia. Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder that causes retention of food in the distal segment of the esophagus due to a failure of peristalsis and a lack of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter after swallowing. Although it is an infrequent pathology, it is necessary to include it in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, requiring a high degree of suspicion for its diagnosis.

Keywords: Manometry. Esophageal achalasia. Vomiting.