Title:Extra-thoracic Extrinsic Compression: An Unusual Cause of Dysphagia
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Sirish C. Rao, Anjana Sathyamurthy, Erica P. Turse, Francis D. Dailey and Veysel Tahan*
Affiliation:Department of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Keywords:Dysphagia, dyspepsia, extrinsic compression, abdominal compression, esophageal spasm, esophageal manometry.
Abstract:Background: Dysphagia affects one in twenty-five adults yearly in the United States.
Objective: While dysphagia may be common, the prevalence of dysphagia may be underestimated
primarily due to under-reporting. Dysphagia may be caused by intraluminal, intrinsic, extrinsic, or
motility disorders.
Method/Results: We present a case of dysphagia caused by extra-thoracic extrinsic compression due to
bra use.
Conclusion: Despite many published reports on dysphagia caused by other diagnoses, we occasionally
overlook extrinsic abdominal compression as the cause for dysphagia.