左心房增大导致吞咽困难疑似食管异物1例并文献复习

目的 探讨左心房增大导致吞咽困难病例的临床特点并回顾分析此类患者的诊治经验。方法 报道了1例因左心房增大导致吞咽困难患者的临床资料,并检索了近10年由左心房导致吞咽困难的相关报道。总结其临床特点、诊断及治疗方法。结果 共纳入15篇文献,包括男7例,女8例,患者主要表现为体质量减轻、呼吸困难和声音嘶哑。胸部CT、上消化道造影和心脏超声是常用的辅助检查。有诊治资料的14例患者中,半数患者采取手术治疗,术后吞咽困难症状改善。结论 导致吞咽困难的原因很多,由于左心房增大引起吞咽困难罕见,国内外相关报道较少,多数为个案报道。考虑此类患者年龄较大基础疾病较多,临床医生需要多方面观察、评估,采用最佳治疗方法,具体问题具体分析。     

A rare case of dysphagia: hypopharyngeal amyloidosis masquerading as a post-cricoid tumour

Amyloidoses are a group of disorders in which deposition of abnormal amounts of protein complexes (amyloid) occurs in a variety of tissues. The upper aerodigestive tract may be affected, particularly the larynx, but hypopharyngeal involvement is rarely reported. We present a unique case of amyloidosis of the post-cricoid region causing dysphagia. This case report highlights the need for otolaryngologists to consider the possibility of submucosal amyloid deposition, in the absence of mucosal lesions, in patients who present with dysphagia secondary to an obstructive lesion of the post cricoid region.     

First report of a case of osteoma of the larynx

Osteomas are common in otolaryngology, as they often involve the skull and facial bones. On rare occasions, these tumors have also been found in the temporal bone and the tongue. Until now, osteomas have not been encountered in the larynx. We describe the case of a patient who came to our institution with hoarseness and dysphagia and who was found to have an osteoma of the larynx. Radiographic imaging, endoscopy, and pathologic classification confirmed the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an osteoma of the larynx.     

Spontaneous cervical hematoma: a report of two cases

Cervical hematomas are generally associated with trauma, surgery, and tumors. Although they are rare, they can be life-threatening because they put the patient at risk for great-vessel compression and upper airway obstruction. We describe two cases of spontaneous cervical hematoma--one in an 81-year-old man and the other in a 30-year-old woman. The man reported dysphonia, dysphagia, and neck swelling of 5 hours' duration. He had been taking 100 mg/day of aspirin for a cardiovascular condition. Examination revealed that the man had polycythemia vera. The woman was found to have neck ache, odynophagia, and cervical ecchymosis; portal hypertension, schistosomiasis, and blood dyscrasia were also found. Both patients denied trauma. A suspected diagnosis of cervical hematoma was confirmed by computed tomography, and treatment was instituted. The hematomas resolved in about 2 weeks. The treatment of cervical hematoma is controversial, although it is agreed that the evaluation of upper airway obstruction and its permeability is mandatory. Surgical treatment is generally reserved for complicated cases because of the risk of infection or bleeding.     

Dysphagia due to a large schwannoma of the oropharynx: case report and review of the literature

Schwannoma is a benign, encapsulated tumor that is derived from Schwann cells. Approximately 25% to 45% of schwannomas occur in the head and neck. The most common site is the parapharyngeal space of the neck; intrapharyngeal occurrence is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a pedunculated schwannoma in the supraglottic oropharynx. Because of the location and mass of the tumor, the main symptom was dysphagia. The tumor was excised via direct microlaryngoscopy, and no recurrence was seen after 2 years of follow-up. When schwannomas are located in the pharynx, they may cause dyspnea and dysphagia or impair phonation. Therefore, when dysphagia is present, a thorough diagnostic procedure should be performed to evaluate the morphology and function of the upper aerodigestive tract.     

Giant cell tumor of the larynx

Giant cell tumors are benign tumors generally found in the long bones. Very rarely, they can occur in the larynx and may present with dysphonia, dysphagia, or dyspnea. A case of giant cell tumor of the larynx was recently identified and successfully treated by a partial laryngectomy. A literature review has revealed 18 case reports of giant cell tumor of the larynx. All cases occurred in men. These 19 cases are reviewed, and follow-up data presented where available. There have been no reports of recurrence regardless of treatment, and an excellent prognosis can be expected when one encounters this unusual laryngeal neoplasm.     

Persisting Dysphagia After Uvulopalatoplasty Performed With Steel Scalpel

Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of postoperative persisting dysphagia after uvulopalatoplasty performed with conventional steel scalpel (UPP) and to videoradiographically evaluate the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing in patients reporting persisting dysphagia. The hypothesis to be tested was that patients treated with UPP would demonstrate a lower incidence of persisting dysphagia than previously found after uvulopalatoplasty performed with laser technique (LUPP). Study Design: Retrospective. Methods: Sixty-eight of 76 consecutive patients treated with UPP answered a questionnaire concerning outcome and late complications after the operation. The patients who reported postoperative dysphagia were additionally interviewed at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively, and the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing were videoradiographically examined in those with persisting dysphagia. Results: The incidence of persisting dysphagia after UPP was 29%. Videoradiographically 71% of the dysphagic patients showed a deviant pharyngeal swallowing pattern. Conclusion: The incidence of persisting dysphagia after UPP did not differ from that reported after laser uvulopalatoplasty. Dysphagia after UPP was mostly associated with videoradiographic signs of deviant pharyngeal swallowing function. Patients should be informed that there is a risk of developing dysphagia after uvulopalatoplasty.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasopharynx--a case report

The case of nasopharyngeal rhabdomyosarcoma was presented. 58-years old woman complained of sore throat, dysphagia and temporary hoarseness was treated in Department of Otolaryngology Medical Academy in Warsaw. The nasopharyngeal tumor extended between Rosenmüller's fossa level to base of the tongue, 3x2 cm in size. Because biopsy specimen result was not definite, the tumor was surgical removed wholly. Histopathological diagnosis was: rhabdomyosarcoma embryonic. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed surgery. At the present moment, four years after treatment, the patient is without local recurrence and metastases. There was two important reasons to present this case: 1) the tumors originate from embryonal tissues are the most frequent of childhood, they are rare in patient over 30 year, 2) the most common sites in head and neck are the orbit, nasopharynx, middle ear, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The pathology of the tumor, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment has been discussed after literature review.     

Dysphagia, hoarseness, and unilateral true vocal fold motion impairment following anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion

The charts of 100 patients who underwent anterior cervical diskectomy with fusion performed at our institution between January 1996 and February 1999 were reviewed. The incidences of hoarseness, dysphagia, and unilateral true vocal fold motion impairment were calculated. Univariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship of several patient and technical factors to the rates of occurrence of hoarseness and dysphagia. Patient age was found to be a significant predictor of postoperative dysphagia (p < .006), with an odds ratio of 1.113 (95% confidence limits, 1.04, 1.21) per year of age. Other factors studied were not found to be significant predictors. The overall incidence of these complications from the world literature was also calculated. The overall incidences of dysphagia, hoarseness, and unilateral true vocal fold motion impairment in the literature were calculated as 12.3%, 4.9%, and 1.4%, respectively. We conclude that dysphagia, hoarseness, and unilateral vocal fold motion impairment continue to remain significant complications of anterior cervical diskectomy with fusion. Older patients may be at higher risk for dysphagia.     

原发性甲状腺鳞状细胞癌

目的 探讨原发性甲状腺鳞状细胞癌的临床特征和综合治疗效果.方法 回顾性分析我院1993～2003年收治甲状腺鳞状细胞癌患者3例,介绍其临床特点和诊疗方法,结合文献进行分析.结果 3例原发性甲状腺鳞状细胞癌主要临床表现为颈部肿块伴呼吸困难、吞咽困难和声音嘶哑等症状,就诊时病程1个月～1年.检查发现甲状腺区域肿瘤质硬,活动度差,边界不清.辅助检查提示病变侵犯食管及喉、气管等周围组织.均行扩大甲状腺癌根治及颈清扫术,其中食管部分切除直接修补1例;开胸后喉、喉咽、食管全部切除加胃咽吻合术1例;颈段气管袖状切除端端吻合,复发后给予喉全及喉咽全切,气管、食管部分切除游离空肠修复1例.术后2例予以放疗及化疗,分别存活8个月和带瘤生存5年2个月,术后未放疗的1例存活2个月.结论 甲状腺鳞状细胞癌是一种罕见的恶性肿瘤,病情发展迅速,预后极差.如能尽早发现并进行扩大根治性手术,并辅以足量放疗及化疗,能最大限度提高患者生存率.     

Swallowing disorders in a population of children with cerebral palsy.

One of the disabilities in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) is dysphagia. To establish the prevalence of dysphagia in a population of children with CP, and to determine if any factors are related to dysphagia, we studied 56 CP patients, 5-21 years, enrolled in a primary school for the disabled. Fifteen patients (27%) had either radiographic or clinical evidence of dysphagia. These 15 patients were compared to the remaining 41 patients without dysphagia. Using data obtained from chart review and interviews with speech pathologists, several factors that contributed to dysphagia were found. These included: bite reflexes, slowness of oral intake, poor trunk control, inability to feed independently, anticonvulsant medication, coughing with meals, choking, and pneumonia. We also noted trends in the following factors: presence of tongue thrusting, presence of drooling, severity of CP, poor head control, severity of mental retardation, seizures, and speech disorders. Factors not related to the presence of dysphagia include: subject age, cause of CP, and type of CP. Early, aggressive work-up and identification in CP patients with the risk factors outlined above can reduce the associated pulmonary complications.     

Dysphagia due to isoniazid therapy for tuberculosis in a patient with Lewy body dementia

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) potentially causes dysphagia; however, the features and underlying mechanism causing dysphagia have still not been clarified. We are the first to report a case of dysphagia resulting from isoniazid therapy for tuberculosis in a DLB patient. A 74-year-old woman with DLB developed dysphagia during treatment for tuberculous pleurisy. Oral videoendoscopic and videofluorographic swallowing examinations showed oropharyngeal dysphagia. The increased administration of levodopa successfully ameliorated dysphagia. Therefore, dysphagia was ascribed to diminished levodopa efficacy due to interaction with isoniazid. Thus, DLB patients receiving anti-tuberculous therapy should be closely examined for potential changes in swallowing and Parkinsonism.     

Lateral Medullary Infarct Presenting as Acute Dysphagia

Lateral medullary infarct (LMI) usually presents with a variety of neurological features. We describe a case of LMI in which acute dysphagia was the only initial symptom. This typical neurological syndrome is very unlikely to be found during ENT practice; however, it needs to be considered among the differential diagnoses when encountering dysphagia of uncertain origin.     

Pharyngolaryngeal migration: a delayed complication of an impacted bullet in the neck.

We present a case of a patient who sustained a bullet wound to the mouth and face resulting in impaction of the foreign body in the neck. This was initially managed conservatively until migration into the supralaryngeal area occurred. This resulted in airway obstruction, dysphagia, and dysphonia necessitating resuscitation and per-operative intrapharyngeal removal. Bullet wounds are uncommon in this country and experience with these cases is lacking. This paper discusses the various management options and the mechanism of how the bullet became lodged in the tissues of the neck.     

Lateral medullary infarct presenting as acute dysphagia.

Lateral medullary infarct (LMI) usually presents with a variety of neurological features. We describe a case of LMI in which acute dysphagia was the only initial symptom. This typical neurological syndrome is very unlikely to be found during ENT practice; however, it needs to be considered among the differential diagnoses when encountering dysphagia of uncertain origin.     

Otolaryngologic manifestations of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by formation of large cervical osteophytes that may compress the posterior wall of the aerodigestive tract. It is a rare cause of dysphagia in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the various otolaryngologic manifestations of DISH. Eleven elderly patients with DISH were included in the study. All patients presented with dysphagia that was graded on the swallowing screening tool (EAT-10), and the diagnosis of DISH was based on computed tomographic criteria. The patients were subjected to otolaryngologic examination and flexible laryngoscopy. Polysomnography was used for patients with excessive daytime sleepiness for detection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In addition to dysphagia of varying severity, OSA was found in nine patients, change of voice in six, globus sensation in seven, aspiration in three, and cervical pain in seven. Flexible laryngoscopy showed bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall in all patients. DISH may be an unrecognized contributory factor to both dysphagia and OSA in the elderly. Change of voice, aspiration, globus sensation, and cervical pain are other otolaryngologic manifestations that may be encountered symptoms of the disease. An otolaryngologist should be aware of the disease that may be overlooked, and computed tomography is a confirmatory diagnostic method.     

Cost-effectiveness of two types of dysphagia care in head and neck cancer: a preliminary report

We conducted a prospective, preliminary study to compare the cost-effectiveness of two different instrument-based techniques for diagnosing and managing dysphagia in 30 consecutive hospitalized patients with head and neck cancer. The two techniques are videofluoroscopy via modified barium swallow (MBS) and videoendoscopy via flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing (FEESST). Medicare was the primary insurer of all patients. Fifteen of these patients had their dysphagia diagnosed and managed by MBS and the other 15 by FEESST. Cost-effectiveness was assessed by determining the average Medicare reimbursement for each procedure. We found that the mean reimbursements were $451.01 (+/- $50.55) for MBS and $321.23 (+/- $3.01) for FEESST. The mean reimbursement for FEESST was significantly lower than that for MBS (p < 0.0001; Mann-Whitney U test). We conclude that FEESST appears to be more cost-effective than MBS for the inpatient management of dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer.     

Dynamic imaging in diagnosis of dysphagia and globus sensation

BACKGROUND: Videofluoroscopy has gained high significance for the evaluation of deglutition disorders. Imaging alone cannot clarify whether the subjective symptom is represented morphologically or whether it is the substrate of a functional disorder. METHOD: The videofluoroscopies of 101 patients with dysphagia (n = 55) and globus pharyngitis (n = 46) were evaluated. Morphologic abnormalities were registered as well as sequential movement patterns. These data were compared with clinical and endoscopic findings. RESULTS: In 87% of the dysphagia and 74% of the globus patients videofluoroscopy revealed pathologic findings. Functional disorders were seen significantly more often than morphologic abnormalities. Highest incidence was found for cricopharyngeal dyskinesia (42%). Hypopharyngeal pouches and degeneration signs of the cervical spine with bolus impression less than 40% are common but functionally not important. Additional esophago-gastroduodenoscopy was pathological in 83% in the dysphagia group and 96% in the globus group. CONCLUSION: Videofluoroscopy is indispensable for the differential diagnosis of dysphagia and globus sensation, especially for the detection of functional disorders in the pharyngoesophageal segment thus documenting the dynamic aspect of deglutition. Videofluoroscopy should be completed by a gastroenterologic examination in order to improve diagnosis.     

Thyroglossal duct cyst: an unusual presentation

Most thyroglossal duct cysts are located at or very close to the midline. They generally manifest as painless neck swellings, and they move on protrusion of the tongue and during deglutition. We describe a case of thyroglossal duct cyst that was unusual in that the cyst was located far from the midline, it did not move on protrusion of the tongue, and it was associated with symptoms of dysphagia and extensive neck swelling that mimicked a colloid goiter