Medical Question of the Day- 18

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A 43 year-old man presents to his physician with a complaint of progressive difficulty in swallowing solid food. He has a 10-year history of heartburn which increases with spicy food and relieves by antacids. He does not smoke or drink alcohol. His weight is the same since last visit six months ago. He is scheduled for endoscopy next week.

What is the most likely initial diagnosis for this patient?

A- Cancer esophagus

B- Peptic esophageal stricture

C- Diffuse esophageal spasm

D- Achalasia

E- Lower esophageal ring

Answer: 




This patient has progressive dysphagia to solids. He also has a history of heartburn for 10 years. Heartburn that increases with spicy food and relieves by anti-acids in suggestive of GERD. The first complication of GERD is peptic esophageal stricture which is caused by acid reflux from the stomach into the lower part of esophagus. Cancer esophagus is excluded as the patient didn’t lose any weight and he doesn’t have the precipitating factors such as smoking and alcohol intake. Achalasia is characterized by dysphagia to both liquids and solids.

The correct answer is B







33 thoughts on “Medical Question of the Day- 18”

  2. Thank you Mujahed

  3. B

  4. Thank you Ameen

  5. the answer is B

  6. Thank you Subhash

  7. B-Peptic orsophageal stricture

  8. Hi Jks. Reddy….Just one answer will count. Which one? A or B? …Thank you

  9. Thank you Jks. Reddy

  10. Thank you Mostafa

  11. Thank you Elan

  12. Thank you Bibek

  15. B – peptic esophgeal stricture

  16. peptic esophageal stricture

  17. Answer is B- peptic esophageal stricture

  18. Thank you Innocentia!

  19. The answer is d

  20. Thank you Hari Krishna!

  21. Thank you Tesfay!

  22. Thank you Mohammad!

  23. Thank you emma wali!

  24. Thank you Saif Allah!

  25. B- Peptic esophageal stricture

  26. B. peptic esophageal stricture

  27. B- Peptic esophageal stricture

  29. The correct answer is B (Peptic esophageal stricture)
    The history of heart burn and the progressive dysphagia for solid food support the diagnosis
    Cancer is not likely because the absence of weight loss as well as the age of the patient.

  30. Thank you Claudiu!

  31. B. Peptic esophageal stricture.

  32. Thank you Patrick!

  33. Answer is B- peptic esophageal stricture.

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