Abstract
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction is a relatively uncommon disorder that is widely misunderstood. Cricopharyngeal dysmotility is thought to represent abnormal function of the upper esophageal or cricopharyngeal sphincter. The cause of this dysfunction is related to uncoordinated pharyngeal swallowing, achalasia, or a combination of these factors. Unfortunately, standard diagnostic tests have not consistently demonstrated a failure of the cricopharyngeal sphincter to malfunction; therefore, cricopharyngeal myotomy has been suggested as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the treatment of dysmotility. Our report focuses on the current trends in the diagnosis and treatment of cricopharyngeal dysfunction. We also present a case report of a transmucosal cricopharyngeal myotomy performed with the potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser. The KTP laser was found to be relatively safe and effective and did not demonstrate significant morbidity. Our conclusion was that a transmucosal cricopharyngeal myotomy with the KTP laser may represent a viable alternative for patients with cricopharyngeal dysmotility.
Subject
General Medicine,Otorhinolaryngology
Cited by
55 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献