[Cricopharyngeal achalasia in stroke patients]

A 68-year-old man developed severe swallowing difficulties after a cerebrovascular accident: he was unable to take food. Nutrition was assured via a gastrostomy ( Witzel fistula). Nonetheless there was steady weight loss. A cricopharyngeal achalasia was finally discovered to be the cause of the swallowing problem. Myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle completely abolished it.