Case report

Achalasia: unusual cause of chronic cough in children

Nighat F Mehdi¹ , Miles M Weinberger² and Mutasim N Abu-Hasan²

¹  Pediatrics Pulmonary Section, University of Oklahoma, 940 NE 13th Street, Room 3B 3314, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA

²  Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonary Division, 2544 JCP, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA

author email corresponding author email

Cough 2008, 4:6doi:10.1186/1745-9974-4-6

Published:	24 July 2008

Abstract

Achalasia is a rare motility disorder of the esophagus which results from lack of enervation of the lower esophageal sphincter muscles and leads to dilatation of proximal esophagus. Patients with achalasia presents typically with dysphagia, vomiting of undigested food and failure to thrive. Cough can be present in achalasia patients due to aspiration of food or due to airway compression by the dilated esophagus. We report two cases of achalasia presenting primarily with prolonged cough. Diagnosis of achalasia in both cases was delayed due to this atypical presentation. This highlights the importance of recognizing achalasia as a potential cause of chronic cough in order to avoid delayed diagnosis and mismanagement.