Aspiration Pneumonitis due to Esophageal Dysmotility (Corkscrew Esophagus)
▶ Watch on YouTube — age-restricted, cannot embed here
Imaging findings
Chest radiograph showed a pigtail catheter post-pleural effusion drainage. A striking column of barium was present in the lungs, indicating aspiration. A prior swallow study revealed severe esophageal dysmotility, characterized by a 'corkscrew esophagus,' and an intrathoracic component of the stomach. The pleural collection was suspected to be a result of aspiration.
Key takeaways
Severe esophageal dysmotility, such as corkscrew esophagus, can lead to recurrent aspiration events, resulting in pulmonary complications like aspiration pneumonitis and pleural effusions. The presence of barium in the lungs on a chest radiograph post-swallow study is a direct sign of aspiration. Hiatal hernia with an intrathoracic stomach component can further predispose to aspiration.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Organizing PneumoniaILD
- Nitrofurantoin Lung (Drug-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis)ILD
- Pulmonary and Visceral Botryomycosis (Staphylococcus aureus)Infection
- Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA) with Intramural Aortic CourseCongenital
- Intravascular Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma (Tumor Thrombus)Neoplastic
- Extensive Pericardial Metastasis from Small Lung AdenocarcinomaNeoplastic
- Acute Exacerbation of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP)ILD
- Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma with Extensive Extranodal InvolvementNeoplastic
See all cases from August 22, 2014 →