A case of Juvenile achalasia in a 13-year-old boy was reported. Dysphagia, vomiting and a failure to thrive have been troubling him for five years. Plain chest roentgenograms showed (1) air-fluid levels by air esophagogram, (2) esophageal line beside vertebrae, and (3) no stomach gas. Barium-filled esophagogram showed achalasia of the esophagus, spindle type, Grade II. LESP (Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure) was high.
Sublingual administration of nifedipine was started 30 min before meals. Nifedipine improved symptoms of achalasia and decreased LESP. No side effects were observed. Although long term nifedipine therapy may cause side effects, nifedipine therapy is useful and reasonable for partients with achalasia to improve of failure to thrive and symptoms before radical surgery methods.
