Secondary achalasia due to a mesenchymal tumour of the oesophagus

A rare case of a secondary achalasia or pseudoachalasia due to a mesenchymal tumour of the oesophagus is presented. A 67-year-old Caucasian man had symptoms including dysphagia, odynophagia, and weight loss for 8 months. Radiological examination revealed no signs of neoplasia but an exploratory laparotomy revealed the presence of a mesenchymal tumour of the oesophagus. Tucker's criteria constitute an important tool in the differential diagnosis of secondary achalasia from primary achalasia with clinical value, but in this case, exploratory laparotomy rather than non-invasive diagnostic procedures provided the final and definite diagnosis. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.