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Cricopharyngeal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: Role in dysphagia and response to myotomy
Author(s) -
Born Lawrence J.,
Harned Roger H.,
Rikkers Layton F.,
Pfeiffer Ronald F.,
Quigley Eamonn M. M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.870110110
Subject(s) - cricopharyngeal myotomy , medicine , dysphagia , swallowing , myotomy , parkinson's disease , surgery , esophageal disease , diverticulum (mollusc) , disease , achalasia , esophagus
We report five patients with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia who were found, by radiological and manometric evaluation, to have evidence of cricopharyngeal dysfunction, which included the presence of a Zenker's diverticulum in two. Cricopharyngeal myotomy was performed in four patients with excellent and sustained improvement in swallowing. We conclude that cricopharyngeal function should be carefully evaluated in patients with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia and that surgical treatment should be considered in appropriate cases.