Dysphagia

DYSPHAGIA


DEFINITION: It is defined as a subjective sensation of difficulty or abnormality
in swallowing.
OTHER TERMINOLOGIES:
APHAGIA Inability to swallow
ODYNOPHAGIA Painful swallowing
GLOBUS Sensation of a lump lodged in the throat
PHAGOPHOBIA Fear of swallowing


ETIOLOGY:
❖ CONGENITAL
• Congenital stenosis of oesophagus
• Tracheal-oesophageal fistula
• Congenital web
❖ ACQUIRED
• Causes within the oesophageal lumen
✓ Foreign body
• Causes within the oesophageal wall
✓ Strictures
✓ Carcinoma oesophagus
✓ Diverticulum
✓ Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
✓ Oesophagitis
• Causes outside the oesophageal wall
✓ Thyroid swelling
✓ Secondaries of the neck
✓ Mediastinal abscess
✓ Mediastinal nodes
• Neuromuscular disorders
✓ Myasthenia gravis
✓ Polymyositis
• Painful diseases of mouth & pharynx
✓ Stomatitis
✓ Tonsillitis
✓ Pharyngitis
✓ Retropharyngeal abscess