Severe Oropharyngeal Dysphagia due to Laryngeal Neuropathy: Case Report

Abstract

Unilateral laryngeal paresis can lead to dysphonia as well as respiratory and swallowing deficits. The pathomechanism of swallowing dysfunction in unilateral laryngeal paresis is decreased sensitivity of supraglottic structures, impaired protective function of reflexive cough and weakening of the upper oesophageal sphincter muscles. The subject of this case report is an 85-year-old man with unilateral laryngeal paresis, developed after gastrofibroscopy, with signs of severe oropharyngeal dysphagia leading to aspiration pneumonia. The patient was managed by a dysphagiology team leading the diagnostic and therapeutic process. This case study describes the pathomechanism of deglutition disorder in unilateral laryngeal paresis, its possible causes (iatrogenic or postinfectious) and the therapeutic process utilising compensatory and restitution techniques and expiratory muscle strength training in restoring peroral intake.

Keywords

• case report
• pneumonia
• deglutition disorders
• vocal cord paralysis