Dysphagia
Scheurer, U.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 48(3): 150-161
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 2042117 Document Number: 369775
Dysphagia is a symptom of numerous disorders which should always alert the physician and induce further examinations as soon as possible. For clinical purposes, a subdivision of dysphagia according to the region of interest in oropharyngeal and esophageal types and according to its causes in mechanical and motor types, facilitates the choice of the diagnostic procedure. A subtle history and precise physical examination in most cases allow a correct diagnosis. Endoscopy with sampling material for histology, cytology, bacteriology, mycology and virology, fine needle punction, endosonography, radiologic examinations, such as video-barium-swallow, CT/NMR, longterm pH-manometry and pharmaco-manometry may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and to plan the accurate treatment.