Long Term Improvement of Dysphagia in Lateral Medullary Infarction: A Case Report

This report concerns a male patient suffered from refractory dysphagia after subarachnoid hemorrhage. A 49-year-old man admitted with severe headache followed by mental change. Imaging studies revealed that subarachnoid hemorrhage was located in basal cistern, and demonstrated ruptured vertebral dissecting aneurysm. After operation, the patient recovered well except severe dysphagia. Initial VFSS showed aspiration in fluid trial, penetration in semisolid bolus, and large amount of pharyngeal residue with poor relaxation of upper esophageal sphincter. For about 5 months, his symptom and several follow-up VFSS findings did not show marked improvement by various treatments. On magnetic resonance imaging for further evaluation of his brain lesion, an old infarction in right lateral side of medulla was found. He kept dysphagia rehabilitation more than one year, and his symptom improved to the level of oral feeding at last. (Ewha Med J 2012;35(2):135-139)