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Dysphagia will classically present as either:
Oropharyngeal dysphagia:
NB: Be aware that laryngeal penetration and aspiration can occur without concurrent coughing and/or choking.
Oesophageal dysphagia - accompanying symptoms may include:
The key objective during the patient's history and examination is to determine whether the dysphagia is oropharyngeal or oesophageal.
Make sure to ask about:
NB: Physical examination in oesophageal dysphagia is often of limited value.
Causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia include:
Causes of oesophageal dysphagia include:
Characterised by:
This pathway was signed off by the NEW Devon CCG Western Locality Clinical Pathway Group.
Publication date: 10 February 2015
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