Cricopharyngeal dysphagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Nasal regurgitation of milk and choking after feeding were observed in a 1,450 g newborn boy. A nasogastric tube was inserted and several episodes of aspiration pneumonia occurred after every interruption of gavage. Weight gain was very slow. At the age of 7 months, cineradiographic studies depicted cricopharyngeal spasm and passage of the barium into the nasopharynx and larynx. Pharyngo-oesophageal manometry showed incoordination, high cricopharyngeal pressure and incomplete relaxation of the muscle. Extended lower oesophageal pH-metering revealed severe gastro-oesophageal reflux. After cricopharyngeal myotomy and fundoplication the patient recovered, x-ray findings improved, and so did manometry except for a persistent incoordination. Functional studies are mandatory for diagnosis of this complex clinical pattern. The need for ruling out gastrooesophageal reflux before myotomy in order to prevent subsequent severe aspiration, is pointed out.