Diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia

Background: Dysphagia refers to an abnormality in the process of transporting food from the mouth to the stomach. Patients with dysphagia have a high risk of airway aspiration, which can often lead to fatal complications such as pneumonia and asphyxia. Recently, interest in the clinical importance of dysphagia has increased in the medical community and society at large.Current Concepts: Dysphagia can be caused by neurological diseases such as stroke and brain injury, or by non-neurological diseases such as head and neck cancer or diverticulum. Diagnosis is mainly performed using videofluoroscopic swallowing study or endoscopic evaluation of swallowing based on a detailed history and physical examination, scintigraphy or esophageal manometry may also be helpful. Recently developed imaging technology using 3-dimensional computed tomography and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging has been implemented. Treatment of dysphagia can be divided into compensatory and facilitative rehabilitation techniques. The most important principle for successful treatment of dysphagia is that it should be performed with a multidisciplinary team approach.Discussion and Conclusion: Dysphagia is an important problem that can seriously impair the patients’ quality of life. Although the general public and medical professionals are interested in dysphagia, many unknown aspects exist regarding the mechanism of dysphagia, and few treatments have been sufficiently proven in terms of safety and effectiveness. Therefore, much attention and effort is still required.