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BMJ Case Reports 2010; doi:10.1136/bcr.05.2009.1891
  • Novel treatment (new drug/intervention; established drug/procedure in new situation)

Oesophageal food impaction in achalasia treated with Coca-Cola and nifedipine

  1. Andriani Koumi,
  2. Marios Zenon Panos
  1. Euroclinic of Athens, Gastroenterology, Athanassiadou 9, Athens, 11521, Greece
  1. Correspondence to Andriani Koumi, akoumi{at}gmail.com
  • Published 31 January 2010

Summary

Achalasia is characterised by the loss of peristaltic movement in the distal oesophagus and failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, which results in impaired oesophageal emptying. We report a case of a 92-year-old frail woman with a history of achalasia, who presented with acute oesophageal obstruction due to impaction of a large amount of food material. She was treated successfully with nifedipine, in combination with Coca-Cola (original product, not sugar free), so avoiding the risks associated with repeated endoscopic intubation and piecemeal removal of the oesophageal content.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Patient consent: Patient/guardian consent was obtained for publication.

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