Management of oesophageal dilatation due to a paraoesophageal hernia presenting with stridor.

Objectives: To show the importance of considering a mechanical and potentially treatable cause, such as a paraoesophageal hernia, in the differential diagnosis of stridor. Such cases can be referred to the upper GI multi-disciplinary team meeting for appropriate surgical input. Case report: We report the case of a 79-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease presenting with intermittent stridor secondary to oesophageal dilatation from a paraoesophageal hernia. A computerised tomography (CT) scan of his thorax provided the diagnosis. The patient was referred to the upper GI multi-disciplinary team meeting and underwent a laparoscopic reduction and repair of the paraoesophageal hernia that resolved his symptoms. Conclusion: A paraoesophageal hernia can be a rare cause of stridor. Since surgical treatment is now available, we suggest that a referral to the upper GI multidisciplinary team is important once prompt diagnosis has been made.