[Dysphagia in children].

In this case report we discuss two children with dysphagia. Both presented with difficulties in swallowing and oesophageal impaction of solid food. The first case involves a 16-year-old boy who suffered from dysphagia for many years. After a long diagnostic journey, during which a psychogenic cause was suspected, he was diagnosed with oesophageal achalasia. After a balloon dilatation of the lower oesophageal sphincter his complaints persisted and the treatment procedure was repeated. The second case involves a 15-year-old girl, who presented with a food impaction in the distal oesophagus. After biopsies, she was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. After short-term acid suppression and treatment with budesonide her symptoms were in remission. The lesson is that there are many causes of dysphagia, including anatomical, functional and psychogenic disorders. In children with dysphagia it is important to rule out somatic disorders before consideration of psychogenic disorders, and to be aware of 'red flag' symptoms such as weight loss.