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Related DDx

Etiology

Esophageal dysphagia

  1. Esophageal web, ring (eg, Schatzki's), or diverticulum (intermittent dysphagia, not progressive)
  2. Peptic stricture (chronic heartburn, progressive dysphagia)
  3. Esophageal cancer (progressive dysphagia, age >50)
  1. Achalasia (progressive dysphagia)
  2. Diffuse esophageal spasm (intermittent, not progressive)
  3. Scleroderma (chronic heartburn)

Oropharyngeal dysphagia

  1. Brainstem stroke, mass lesion
  2. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, pseudobulbar palsy, postpolio syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome
  3. Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dementia
  4. Tardive dyskinesia
  1. Myopathy, polymyositis
  2. Oculopharyngeal dystrophy
  3. Sjögren's syndrome
  1. Thyrotoxicosis, amyloidosis, Cushing's disease, Wilson's disease
  2. Drugs: anticholinergics, phenothiazines
  1. Polio, diphtheria, botulism, Lyme disease, syphilis, mucositis (Candida, herpes)
  1. Zenker's diverticulum
  2. Cervical osteophytes, cricopharyngeal bar, proximal esophageal webs
  3. Oropharyngeal tumors
  4. Postsurgical or radiation changes
  5. Pill-induced injury
  1. Upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction