Physical Examination and Workup
On presentation, the patient is afebrile. Her heart rate is 70 beats/min, and her blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg. The results of the physical examination are normal. Her abdomen is soft and nontender, and no skin or mucosal lesions are evident.
The laboratory workup is notable for these values:
Hemoglobin: 14 g/dL (reference range, 13.2-17.1 g/dL)
Mean corpuscular volume: 90 fL (reference range, 80-100 fL)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone: normal
Free thyroxine: normal
A CT of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous and oral contrast reveals mild distal esophageal wall thickening. No mass or lymphadenopathy is identified.
A barium esophagram shows a small caliber esophagus with no obvious stricture.
The patient subsequently undergoes esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), which reveals friable, inflamed, and glistening mucosa; reticulated streaks; and ulcerations and stenosis involving primarily the middle and upper thirds of the esophagus (Figures 1 and 2). The stomach and duodenum appear normal. Given the evidence of stenosis, her esophagus is dilated with a balloon dilator for symptomatic relief.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Medscape © 2023 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Dysphagia and Odynophagia in a Woman With Hypothyroidism - Medscape - May 03, 2023.
Comments