SWALLOWING DISORDERS - 07/09/11

Doi : 10.1016/S0025-7125(05)70090-0

Edgar Domenech, MD ^a, James Kelly, MD ^a,^b

^a Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution (ED, JK)

^b Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Baltimore Medical Center (JK), Baltimore, Maryland

Resumen

Swallowing is one of the most complex neuromuscular interactions in the human body. Because of the split-second coordination required for a normal swallow, it is not surprising that approximately 10 million Americans are evaluated each year with swallowing difficulties. Because swallowing disorders cross specialty lines, a multidisciplinary approach is often required to treat these patients.

Initially the physician or health care provider must differentiate between feeding and swallowing disorders. Feeding disorders are defined as the inability to present food to the mouth, whereas swallowing disorders or dysphagia involves the inability to get the food from the mouth to the stomach. This article focuses on swallowing disorders.

The most important aspect in treating a patient with dysphagia is an accurate diagnosis. To accomplish this, the physician must

1	Understand the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of swallowing.
2	Obtain a detailed and specific history and physical examination.
3	Know the diagnostic studies available (and their proper use).
4	Be aware of the disorders that can cause dysphagia and how to manage them.

El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF.

Esquema

Address reprint requests to James Kelly, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, 6701 North Charles Street, Rm 4202, Baltimore, MD 21204