Effective management of cricopharyngeal achalasia in infants and children with dilatation alone.

Aim: Cricopharyngeal achalasia (CPA) is a rare clinical condition that is characterized by aspiration, choking, and nasopharyngeal regurgitation. The aim of this study is to introduce the outcomes of dilatation alone in children with CPA.

Patients And Method: After the evaluation of upper esophageal sphincter with endoscopy, dilatation was performed. All patients underwent videofluoroscopic evaluation and swallowing therapy after the surgical procedure. A retrospective chart review was performed in children with CPA.

Results: Thirty children who were videofluoroscopically proven to have CPA were included in the study. Their age range was 15days-7years (median 11months). Twenty-one of them were neurologically impaired. Two children were lost to follow-up. Nineteen patients (68%) had a total resolution of CPA and were symptom-free with 1-6 dilatations (median 2). Three of the children (11%) who were severely neurologically impaired had resistant CPA. Three children (11%) treated recently with short follow-up were added to the group. Their VFS evaluations demonstrated improvement, thus we accepted their result as successful. There were two perforations in the series. Three patients died; one 2-month-old (2500g) baby who was accepted from the intensive care unit passed away on postoperative on the 7th day. Two other babies who were unresponsive to dilatation therapy died on follow-up.

Conclusion: Dilatation can be a safe and effective method on children who are correctly diagnosed to have CPA.