A Case of Pathologic Aerophagia with Mental Retardation Managed by Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

경피적 내시경적 위루술을 이용한 병적 공기 연하증 치료 경험 1례

We experienced a case of pathologic aerophagia in a 10-year-old girl who has mental retardation. It was observed that the abdomen was non-distended in the morning and became maximally distended in the evening. Increased passage of flatus, but normal eructation, was noted. Roentgenographic examination showed 'esophageal air sign', abnormal air shadow on proximal esophagus adjacent to the trachea, in simple chest X-ray and visible air swallowing fluoroscopically. We tried a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) to decompress swallowed air in stomach. We suggest that placement of a PEG catheter in early life, especially in mentally retarded patients, that can be used as desufflator, can prevent the complications of aerophagia. 'Esophageal air sign' may be very helpful for early detection of pathologic aerophagia.

저자들은 정신 지체를 가진 병적 공기 연하증환자를 임상 증상과 단순 흉부 X-선 사진상의 '식도 내 공기 징후'와 투시진단법으로 진단하여 보고하는 바이며, 본 증례와 같이 장기적으로 호전을 보이지 않는 공기 연하증 환자에서 조기에 PEG를 시행하여 공기를 빼내는 도구로 이용하면, 심각한 합병증의 발생을 예방할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.