Odynophagia differential diagnosis

Odynophagia Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Odynophagia from other Conditions
Epidemiology and Demographics
Screening
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Odynophagia differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Odynophagia differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Odynophagia differential diagnosis
CDC on Odynophagia differential diagnosis
Odynophagia differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Odynophagia differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Odynophagia
Risk calculators and risk factors for Odynophagia differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Odynophagia should be differentiated from dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing). There are many causes of odynophagia. They can also be differentiated with help of appropriate H & E and diagnostic procedures.

Differentiating odynopaghia from dysphagia:

Factor	Odynopagia	Dysphagia
Defination	Pain in swallowing	Inability to start or continue to swallow
Pathophysiology	Irritation of sensory nerves	Motor nerves paralysis or mechanical obstruction
Involved areas	Pharynx and esophagus	Motor nerves or esophagus

Odynophagia differentials:

Causes	Pain	History finding	Examination finding	Diagnostic test
URTI	Acute pain	Changed in voice, fever, runny nose	inflamed oral mucosa, enlarged lymph nodes or tonsils	Oral swab culture
Tumors	Dull Pain	Loss of weight and appetite, risk factors, may have dysphagia	swelling may be seen, tumor may spread to lymph nodes	Endoscopy
Foreign body	Acute pain	History of foreign body intake	Foreign body may be seen, surrounding area may be inflamed	Laryngoscopy
GERD	Buring pain	Pain worse at nights,decrease food intake but normal appetite	oral mucousa normal, mild tender epigastrium	manomatary
Esophagitis	Burning pain	Resternal pain on swallowing, food aversion, risk factor	oral mucosa normal	Endoscopy