Feb 11, 2025 · The rat's tail sign refers to tapering of the inferior esophagus on barium swallow study. Many sources use this sign synonymously with the bird beak sign (esophagus) and indicate that it is characteristic of achalasia 1.

Mar 4, 2025 · Achalasia (primary achalasia) is a failure of organized esophageal peristalsis that causes impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, resulting in food stasis and often marked dilatation of the esophagus.

Dec 3, 2013 · Idiopathic achalasia is a syndrome caused by incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. The physiologic alterations result from damaged innervation. On the barium swallow study, a dilated esophagus tapering at the distal end, which is referred to as ‘rat’s tail’ or ‘bird’s beak’ appearance.

Jun 15, 2018 · Rectal examination showed high anal sphincter tone, levator muscle tenderness, no perineal descent, and anal contraction while straining to evacuate the examining finger. The mean resting anal sphincter pressure was 135 mm Hg (normal, 26–91 mm Hg).

Dilatation and stasis in esophagus with tapering at the lower esophageal sphincter and narrowing at the gastro-esophageal junction with characteristic appearances of bird beak sign or rat-tail sign. Features are consistent with achalasia with a typical rat tail sign.

Achalasia and the rat's tail sign. Achalasia and the rat's tail sign QJM. 2014 Jul;107(7):583. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hct234. Epub 2013 Nov 19. Authors Wen-Chien Cheng 1 , Te-Chun Shen 1 , Chih-Yen Tu 1 Affiliation 1 Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and ...

The typical “bird's beak” appearance was defined as a smooth tapering of the distal esophagus with minimal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opening and proximal aperistalsis esophageal dilation, also called a “rat tail appearance."

Oct 7, 2020 · Rat-tail appearance on barium swallow is a characteristic sign of achalasia cardia but rarely it can occur due to other causes like carcinoma of esophagus and in infections like tuberculosis or chagas disease. 1 this sign was typically described for achalasia cardia but, similar appearance in patients with esophageal cancer is sometimes ...

Barium Swallow may be normal in some patients with achalasia. Esophageal manometry (gold standard for diagnosis) or upper endoscopy can be considered instead.

Anal Achalasia: The Rat Tail Gas Sign Michael Camilleri Mayo Clinic, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rochester, Minnesota A29-year-old woman presented with 7 years of abdominal pain, distension, bloating, incomplete rectal evacuation, and food intolerance. Prior gastrointes-tinal endoscopies, abdominal ultrasound, and computer-