Delayed esophageal perforation after pneumatic dilatation for the treatment of achalasia.

Two cases of delayed esophageal perforation following a pneumatic dilatation for the treatment of achalasia are presented. Esophagrams obtained immediately after pneumatic dilatation failed to reveal a perforation. Increasing symptoms prompted repeat contrast studies, at which time an esophageal perforation was demonstrated. The occurrence of delayed esophageal perforation after pneumatic intrumentation is emphasized. An ischemic etiology for this delayed perforation is postulated.