Radiologic assessment of abnormal oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.

Abstract

Our purpose here is to review abnormalities of the first two phases of swallowing. The most frequent symptoms of abnormal oral or pharyngeal swallowing include difficulty initiating swallowing, cervical dysphagia, nasal regurgitation, coughing, and choking. Generally, abnormal oral or pharyngeal swallowing function is associated with high cervical dysphagia in the upper neck, whereas the abnormal esophageal motor function or obstructive morphology may be in the retrosternal area or lower neck