Compression of the esophagus by the spine and the aorta in untreated scoliosis.

ABSTRACT

An adult patient with severe scoliosis secondary to familial dysautonomia developed dysphagia and recurrent aspirations. Various imaging studies showed a mechanical obstruction of the esophagus due to compression between the spine and the aorta. The patient underwent a gastrostomy and fundoplication, with a significant decrease in symptoms. The case demonstrates one of the possible long-term consequences of untreated scoliosis.