[Cervical dysphagia in scleroedema adultorum Buschke (author's transl)]

Scleroedema adultorum Buschke is characterized by progressive hardening of the skin. In contrast to scleroderma the hardening occurs in the skin of the trunk while extremities remain largely free. Internal organs are said not to be involved in scleroedema adultorum Buschke. The full picture of the persistent form of scleroedema adultorum Buschke was observed in two patients. One patient complained of increasing dysphagia with regurgitation and aspiration. Manometry and X-ray cinematographic investigation showed inappropriate relaxation of the upper oesophageal sphincter. In the other patient who had not previously had swallowed difficulties manometry showed achalasia of the upper oesophageal sphincter. The functional disturbances of the upper oesophagus indicate the possibility of an involvement of internal organs in scleroedema adultorum Buschke. However, proof of an aetiological connection between disturbances of oesophageal motility and skin disease requires systematic investigations in a larger group of patients.