Unexpected Convergence: A Case Report of Achalasia in a Patient With Multiple Sclerosis

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder marked by neuronal degeneration within the myenteric plexus, leading to impaired lower esophageal relaxation and swallowing dysfunction. Despite a detailed understanding of its features, the disease's cause remains unknown. Similarly, multiple sclero...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Saeed S. Graham, Adrianna E. Carrasco, Jinye Liu, Mohamed Khalaf, William J. Leland
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2025-01-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0580
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Summary:Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder marked by neuronal degeneration within the myenteric plexus, leading to impaired lower esophageal relaxation and swallowing dysfunction. Despite a detailed understanding of its features, the disease's cause remains unknown. Similarly, multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating condition of uncertain cause. Autoimmunity has been suggested as a potential cause of both disorders, yet instances documenting their co-occurrence are rare. We report a case of achalasia diagnosed in a young woman during hospitalization for an apparent MS flare.
ISSN:2767-7664