Due to the similarity of symptoms, achalasia can be misdiagnosed as other disorders, such as [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]] (GERD), [[hiatus hernia]], and even [[psychosomatic]] disorders.
Achalasia must be differentiated from other causes of dysphagia, odynophagia and food regurgitation such as GERD, esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal stricture.
Achalasia must be differentiated from other causes of dysphagia, odynophagia and food regurgitation such as GERD, esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal stricture.
Differentiating Achlasia from other Disease
Achalasia must be differentiated from other causes of dysphagia, odynophagia and food regurgitation such as GERD, esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal stricture.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy findings include a dilated esophagus with residual food fragments, normal mucosa and occasionally candidiasis (due to the prolonged stasis).
Barium swallow shows the characteristic bird's beak appearance.