[Esophageal dilatation in a patient with myotonic dystrophy: a correlative study on CT and pathologic findings]

We reported a 63-year-old woman with myotonic dystrophy (MD), who had frequent swallowing disturbances and died from suffocation asphyxia. Her esophagus on CT image 30 minutes after taking semi-solid meal showed dietary remnants in the middle portion of esophagus with entire esophageal dilatation. At autopsy, there was marked atrophy in the striated muscles in the upper part and smooth muscles in the lower part of the esophagus. The site of dietary stagnation on CT image was identical to the atrophic smooth muscle layer seen at autopsy. We speculate that one of the causes of esophageal motor dysfunctions is smooth muscle atrophy. The dietary stagnation in the esophagus may increase a risk of the asphyxia. Therefore we need to keep patients at the straight position during and after dietary ingestion to prevent respiratory problems.