Muscle Tension Dysphagia: Evaluation and Management (2023 AMW)
2023 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
The symptomology and theoretical framework of muscle tension dysphagia (MTDg) was introduced in a retrospective study conducted in 2016 by Kang and Lott, elucidating the need to establish a diagnostic and therapeutic paradigm for idiopathic functional dysphagia. The study revealed that patients with idiopathic dysphagia demonstrated normal findings on videofluoroscopic swallow study, yet showed evidence of laryngeal muscle tension with laryngoscopy. Many exhibited concurrent disorders of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness such as chronic cough, paradoxical vocal fold motion, globus pharyngeus, and muscle tension dysphonia. The study showed that patients with evidence of laryngeal muscle tension appear to benefit significantly from speech-language pathology intervention aimed at unloading laryngeal muscle tension. The proper diagnosis of MTDg is based on patient symptoms and exam findings. It offers a physiological explanation for etiology and a personalized medical and behavioral treatment plan. This course discusses the theoretical framework, evaluation, and management strategies for MTDg. Additionally, MTDg will be discussed in the context of surgical and procedural management of dysphagia. Findings of recent and supporting literature on MTDg will also be reviewed. This lecture will aim to ensure proper diagnostic work up and management as this emerging diagnosis becomes more popular.
Credits
CME:1.0, MOC:1.0