J Mov Disord.  2018 Sep;11(3):129-132. 10.14802/jmd.17081.

Transfer Dysphagia Due to Focal Dystonia

• Samal P
• Goyal V
• Makharia G
• Das CJ
• Gorthi SP
• VY V
• Singh MB
• Srivastava MVP

• KMID: 2438829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.17081

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The inability to propel a bolus of food successfully from the posterior part of the oral cavity to the oropharynx is defined as transfer dysphagia. The present case series describes the varied presentation of transfer dysphagia due to focal dystonia and highlights the importance of early detection by following up on strong suspicions.
METHODS
We describe seven cases of transfer dysphagia due to focal dystonia. Transfer dysphagia as a form of focal dystonia may appear as the sole presenting complaint or may present with other forms of focal dystonia.
RESULTS
Four out of seven patients had pure transfer dysphagia and had previously been treated for functional dysphagia. A high index of suspicion, barium swallow including videofluoroscopy, associated dystonia in other parts of the body and response to drug therapy with trihexyphenidyl/tetrabenazine helped to confirm the diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
Awareness of these clinical presentations among neurologists and non-neurologists can facilitate an early diagnosis and prevent unnecessary investigations.

Keyword

Transfer dysphagia; focal dystonia; eating dystonia; videofluoroscopy; barium swallow

MeSH Terms

Barium
Deglutition Disorders*
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy
Dystonia
Dystonic Disorders*
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Mouth
Oropharynx
Barium