Dysphagia

Background

  • Most patients with dysphagia have an identifiable, organic cause
  • Assume malignancy in patients >40yo with new-onset dysphagia
  • Medications can cause dysphagia from esophageal mucosal injury or reduced lower esophageal sphincter tone.
  • CVA is most common cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia

Clinical Features

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Sensation of food stuck
  • Chest pain
  • Dysphagia categories[1]
    • Oropharyngeal dysphagia - difficulty initiating swallowing (coughing, chocking, nasal regurgitation)
    • Esophageal dysphagia
      • Mechanical obstruction - usually solid food only
      • Neuromuscular disorder - solid or liquid food


Transfer dysphagia (oropharyngeal)

Transport dysphagia (esophageal)

  • Improper transfer of bolus from upper esophagus into stomach
  • Etiology
  • Symptoms
    • Food "sticking," retrosternal fullness with solids (and eventually liquids), odynophagia

Differential Diagnosis

Dysphagia

Evaluation

  • Evaluate for underlying etiology (e.g. rule out new neuro dysfunction)
  • Neck x-ray (AP and lateral)
    • Helpful in presumed transfer dysphagia and proximal transport dysphagia
  • CXR
    • Helpful in presumed transport dysphagia

Management

  • Referral to GI or ENT for direct laryngoscopy or video-esophagography

Disposition

See Also

References

  1. Spieker MR. Evaluating Dysphagia. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Jun 15;61(12):3639-3648.