A case of dysphagia due to thyrotoxic myopathy

Abstract

Dysphagia is an uncommon feature of thyrotoxic myopathy. This report describes a 56-year-old female who presented with severe dysphagia. A clinical examination and laboratory tests showed myopathy of thyrotoxicosis. The swallowing abnormality was assessed by videoendscopy and videofluorography. Her thyrotoxicosis improved after the dministration of antithyroid therapy and the balloon dilatation method was attempted to resolve the cricopharyngeal dysphagia at an early stage. Immediately after perfoeming the balloon method she was able to start oral intake. About one month later videofluorography showed the improvementof her dysphagia and 40 days thereafter, she was able to take all types of foods by mouth without tube feeding. The balloon dilatation method is therefore considered to be effective for the treatment of successful for thyrotoxic dysphagia.