Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Esophageal Obstruction And Food To Enter Lungs?
Question: Hi THERE! My father has been having problems eating and drinking for the last past 9 months. We found out that everything he was eating was going into his right lung. They have made so many tests,,, and they still don't know what the cause is. He does not have dystrophy musculaire occulo phayngé. He is a 87 year old man that was in excellent condition. Thay have tried a endoscopie, but were not able to get the tube trough, There has been so many more tests done,,, but with no results. Please help!!! I have any idea on what is going on with his condition. We love him daerly,,, and since this condition we do not reconize our father. Please,please, help!!! P.S he has a scoliose If that may be id any help. Sinserely Yours, XXXXXXX xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
this is unusual
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
This is unusual that right diagnosis cant be found.
There can be organic obstruction or functional disorder,there is no something third.
He obviously have esophageal obstruction which can be caused by tumors or benign conditions but endoscopy must be performed and biopsy taken. If this is cancer then surgery is required where portion of esophagus is resected and small bowel attached to healthy part. If this is neurolgogic disorder or functional disorder then nasogastric tube should be inserted and he can be fed through it. Gastrojejunostomy is bypass for distal obstruction but it wont solve the problem in pharynx and esophagus.
I suggest to find nutritionist who will prescribe parenteral nutrition, he should do MRI of oropharynx and esophagus and have biopsy of all obstructive lesions.
this is unusual
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
This is unusual that right diagnosis cant be found.
There can be organic obstruction or functional disorder,there is no something third.
He obviously have esophageal obstruction which can be caused by tumors or benign conditions but endoscopy must be performed and biopsy taken. If this is cancer then surgery is required where portion of esophagus is resected and small bowel attached to healthy part. If this is neurolgogic disorder or functional disorder then nasogastric tube should be inserted and he can be fed through it. Gastrojejunostomy is bypass for distal obstruction but it wont solve the problem in pharynx and esophagus.
I suggest to find nutritionist who will prescribe parenteral nutrition, he should do MRI of oropharynx and esophagus and have biopsy of all obstructive lesions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
