In addition to aspiration, what is the most common, and feared complication?
Oesophageal carcinoma is the most dreaded complication and is seen in approximately 5%, and most often in the mid oesophagus. It is thought to relate to the chronic irritation of the mucosa by stasis of food and secretions.
What disease caused by an infective agent has identical appearances?
Chagas disease is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi.
CT scan of the abdomen showed uniform dilatation of the oesophagus with air-fluid level. Patchy consolidation in the upper segment of the right lower lobe likely due to aspiration.