Dysphagia physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2]

Overview

A Speech Language Pathologist is most often the first person called upon to evaluate a patient with suspected dysphagia. During this informal examination, medical history is obtained, the mini-mental state examination is administered, and oral and facial sensorimotor function, speech, and swallowing are evaluated non-instrumentally.

Physical Examination

• Physical examination of patients with dysphagia is dependent on the underlying cause.

Appearance of the Patient

• Patients with dysphagia usually appear in discomfort.

Vital Signs

• Normal

Skin

• Skin examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

HEENT

• HEENT examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Neck

• Neck examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal, but may presents with masses or swelling of the neck depending on the underlying cause.
  • Laryngeal Cancer
  • Thyroid goiters
  • Esophageal cancers

Lungs

• Pulmonary examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Heart

• Cardiovascular examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Abdomen

Abdominal examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Back

• Back examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Genitourinary

• Genitourinary examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

Neuromuscular

• Neuromuscular examination of patients with dysphagia is usually dependent on the underlying disease.
  • Stroke
  • Neuromuscular disorders

Extremities

• Extremities examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.