Differential Diagnosis for Mimickers of Achalasia
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Esophageal stricture: This is a common condition that can mimic achalasia by causing dysphagia to solids. The stricture can be due to various causes such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, or caustic ingestion.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Diffuse esophageal spasm: This condition is characterized by abnormal esophageal contractions that can cause chest pain and dysphagia, similar to achalasia.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus can cause symptoms similar to achalasia, such as dysphagia and odynophagia.
- Scleroderma: This autoimmune disorder can cause esophageal dysmotility, leading to symptoms similar to achalasia.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Esophageal cancer: Although less common, esophageal cancer can present with symptoms similar to achalasia, such as dysphagia and weight loss. Missing this diagnosis can be fatal.
- Chagas disease: This parasitic infection can cause achalasia-like symptoms, and missing the diagnosis can lead to serious cardiac and gastrointestinal complications.
- Rare diagnoses
- Eosinophilic esophagitis: This condition is characterized by an eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as dysphagia and food impaction.
- Inlet patch: This is a rare condition where a patch of gastric mucosa is present in the upper esophagus, causing symptoms similar to achalasia.
- Esophageal leiomyoma: This is a rare benign tumor of the esophagus that can cause symptoms similar to achalasia, such as dysphagia and chest pain.