Neurogenic dysphagia

Neurogenic dysphagia (ND) is very common in neurological diseases. Diagnostic tools for the assessment of specific oropharyngeal disturbances comprise videofluoroscopic swallowing study and fiberoptic evaluation of swallowing. These complementary methods seem to be equivalent with regard to monitoring of swallowing therapy. Interventions for NO are mainly based on functional swallowing therapy including methods of restitution, compensation and adaptation. The efficacy of some of these methods has been proven. In cases with predominant dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), cricophoryngeal myotomy or botulinum toxin A injection into the UES may be successful interventions, respectively. The functional outcome of patients with ND can be improved by the therapeutic approaches mentioned above.