Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of cricopharyngeal dysfunction?
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction can cause a number of symptoms in babies and children. These include:
- dysphagia
- aspiration
- choking
- coughing
- cyanosis (blue spells)
- recurrent pneumonia
- nasal congestion
What causes cricopharyngeal dysfunction?
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction occurs when the UES doesn't relax properly.
Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction | Diagnosis & Treatments
How is cricopharyngeal dysfunction diagnosed?
Physicians typically diagnose cricopharyngeal dysfunction using high-resolution manometry with impedance.
How is cricopharyngeal dysfunction treated?
Depending on your child's unique situation, the physician will likely recommend less-invasive approaches to treat cricopharyngeal dysfunction. These approaches may include:
- dilation
- injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) to help relax the UES