A 30-year-old woman from Bolivia presents with megaoesophagus (dysphagia, regurgitation) and a dilated, aperistaltic oesophagus on barium swallow. She...

Question

A 30-year-old woman from Bolivia presents with megaoesophagus (dysphagia, regurgitation) and a dilated, aperistaltic oesophagus on barium swallow. She has Trypanosoma cruzi serology positive. What is the underlying pathology?

Accepted Answer

Destruction of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus by T. cruzi-induced autoimmune inflammation, leading to loss of peristalsis and progressive dilatation

Answer

Mechanical obstruction by adult parasites in the oesophageal lumen

Answer

Oesophageal carcinoma

Answer

Achalasia unrelated to Chagas disease

Answer

Oesophageal candidiasis

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Chagasic Megaoesophagus Pathology

A 30-year-old woman from Bolivia presents with megaoesophagus (dysphagia, regurgitation) and a dilated, aperistaltic oesophagus on barium swallow. She has Trypanosoma cruzi serology positive. What is the underlying pathology?