POSTPOLIO SYNDROME PRESENTING WITH DYSPHAGIA

The case of a 69 year old, male patient with slowly progressive dysphagia and an acute exacerbation is presented. He was referred to rule out an organic origin to his disorder. Apart from mild residual weakness of both legs after an acute paralytic poliomyelitis at the age of 20, the physical examination was essentially normal. No upper motor neuron pathology was found. Elektromyography showed prevalent spontaneous and chronic denervation of bulbar and sceletal muscles. X-ray kinematography revealed abnormalities of bolus passage. On the basis of history and the benign clinical course over a 2 year follow-up period we assume a post-polio syndrome presenting with only dysphagia.