Introduction:

the term esophageal achalasia refers to a limitation in the emptying of the food bolus at the esophageal level associated with a failure in relaxation.

Case report:

this is a male patient, 13 years old, who came to the clinic for dysphagia to solids that progressed to liquids, saliva regurgitation and soft foods, with progressive weight loss. An X-ray of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum was performed, which showed dilation of the esophagus, with a "pencil point" termination at the level of the esophagogastric junction, and an esophageal manometry that revealed an esophageal body in which there is no normal peristalsis, with uncoordinated or simultaneous (or both), repetitive, multipeak contractions of normal amplitude, not propulsive; the existence of vigorous-type esophageal achalasia was proposed as a diagnosis.

Conclusions:

despite being a rare disease, it is important that specialists in Pediatrics and Surgery take this disease into consideration in the differential diagnosis of all patients with dysphagia, regurgitation and weight loss.

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