A jackhammer in the gullet: high amplitude oesophageal contractions as a cause of atypical chest pain. (5th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goel, Rishi; Anggiansah, Angela; Wong, Terry; Wilkinson, Mark
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-10-05
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2015-210631
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Chest pain is a common cause for referral to emergency departments. A proportion of these patients have non-cardiac chest pains with normal investigations. Such patients should be considered for oesophageal studies as these may reveal an underlying dysmotility disorder. We report the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with chest pain and underwent oesophageal studies. He was diagnosed with acid reflux and high amplitude oesophageal contractions, otherwise known as a jackhammer oesophagus. Treatment was successful with omeprazole and glyceryl trinitrate relieving his symptoms.