American trypanosomiasis (Chaga's disease) may result in megaesophagus. Rezende developed a staging system for megaesophagus based on anatomic and radiologic features.
Esophageal Diameter
Gross Anatomy
Barium Swallow Study
Stage
normal
normal
no retention
0
normal
tertiary contractions present
small barium retention in lower esophagus
I
mild to moderate dilatation
greater number of tertiary contractions
barium retention into mid-third of the esophagus
II
moderate to severe dilatation
normal longitudinal axis maintained
significant barium retention
III
severe dilatation
longitudinal axis deviated
IV
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
