Dysphagia 

Dysphagia

Question. Write a short note on causes and investigations of dysphagia.

Answer. Dysphagia is difficulty in swallowing.

Dysphagia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Dysphagia Causes

1. Due to the narrowing of the esophagus

1. Intrinsic, i.e. obstruction inside the esophagus
   • Esophageal stricture
   • Esophageal ulceration
   • Congenital atresia of the esophagus
   • Plummer Vinson syndrome
   • Tumors either benign or malignant
   • Tonsillitis
   • Stomatitis
   • Glossitis
   • Esophagitis
   • Pharyngitis
2. Extrinsic, i.e. obstruction outside the esophagus
   • Aortic aneurysm
   • Retropharyngeal mass
   • Mitral stenosis which leads to left atrial enlargement
   • Thyroid gland enlargement which compresses the esophagus.

2. Motor Dysphagia:

• Paralysis of esophageal sphincter
  • Esophageal spasm
  • Cardiac achalasia.
• Paralysis of 9th and 10th cranial nerve nuclei
  • Systemic sclerosis
  • Poliomyelitis.
• Esophageal muscle weakness
  • Myopathy.
• Neuromuscular paralysis
  • Myasthenia gravis.

Causes of Dysphagia and Its Symptoms

Dysphagia Investigations

• A complete hemogram is done to check for anemia
• Chest X­ray should be done to check for tuberculosis, cardiomegaly, mediastinal enlargement
• Endoscopy of the esophagus helps in the detection of lesions and finding their cause
• Barium meal examination is carried out purely for the localization of lesions in the esophagus
• Esophageal manometry is carried out to assess motility disorders of the esophagus.