Title: Esophagus Associated Lung Diseases- A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ravindran Chetambath, Jabeed Parengal, Mohammed Aslam, Sanjeev Shivashankaran
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.05
Abstract
Introduction: Structural diseases of oesophagus such as trache-oesophageal fistula, achalasia and esophageal diverticula are frequent causes of aspiration related respiratory morbidity. In this retrospective hospital data based study we looked for esophageal causes in patients admitted with respiratory symptoms in Pulmonary Medicine ward.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of records of all patient admitted in the Pulmonary Medicine ward of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kerala for a period of one year from 01-01-2016 to 31-12-2016 to identify oesophageal abnormality as the cause for their respiratory symptoms and needed help from Gastroenterologist for diagnosis and management. Patient medical history, results of radiologic evaluations, endoscopic findings and course in the hospital were used to gain information about the diagnosis and treatment.
Result: Out of the 946 patients treated during this period there were 4 cases where structural diseases of esophagus were found to be the cause for the respiratory symptoms. These patients together illustrate the spectrum of respiratory symptoms and problems caused by esophageal abnormality. Since these patients reported to Pulmonary Medicine for respiratory symptoms there is a delay of 3-14 days before final diagnosis is made. This also causes delay in seeking definitive treatment.
Conclusion: This study illustrates the respiratory involvement and potential consequences of diseases of the esophagus, the frequent delay in diagnosis and referral, and the outcome of those patients.
Keywords: Tracheo-esophageal fistula, Achalasia cardia, Diverticulum, Aspiration Pneumonia.
