What is Cricopharyngeal dysphagia

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction occurs when the muscle at the top of the esophagus, sometimes known as the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), doesn’t relax to allow food to enter the esophagus or it relaxes in an uncoordinated manner. This can cause dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.

What causes cricopharyngeal dysfunction?

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction occurs due to muscular, neurological, or degenerative conditions, as well as hypertrophy or scarring in the CPM. Separate conditions, such as stroke, can affect muscle function as well.

What does cricopharyngeal mean?

Medical Definition of cricopharyngeal : of or relating to the cricoid cartilage and the pharynx.

How is cricopharyngeal muscle treated?

The definitive treatment for cricopharyngeal dysfunction is a procedure called cricopharyngeus muscle myotomy in which physicians cut the UES in a way that prevents it from over-contracting, so food is no longer blocked from entering the esophagus.

What are the symptoms of cricopharyngeal achalasia?

Inability to swallow.
Gagging.
Regurgitation.
Vomiting.
Repeated swallowing attempts.
Aspiration.
Coughing.
Bloating.

Who treats Cricopharyngeal dysfunction?

To test for CPM and/or UES dysfunction, your ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist, may examine your throat and larynx (voice box) by passing a small flexible camera through your nose.

Does Cricopharyngeal go away?

Most of the time, cricopharyngeal spasms go away on their own. You may experience flare-ups during times of stress, but learning to manage your symptoms can help improve your quality of life.

What medications are used for esophageal spasms?

Medications to relax your swallowing muscles. Peppermint oil, onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox) injections or calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others), can reduce the severity of spasms.

What foods trigger esophageal spasms?

the type of food or drink.
whether it was hot or cold.
the amount of food eaten in a meal.
any adverse reactions, such as food allergies.

What level is Cricopharyngeus?

How is cricopharyngeal bar diagnosed? Diagnosis of the CP bar is made with fluoroscopic swallow study of the pharynx and proximal esophagus, typically in the lateral view. The bar appears as an indentation on the barium column at the posterior aspect of the esophagus between the C3 and C6 vertebral levels (see figure).

Article first time published on

How do you get rid of muscle spasms in your throat?

relaxation techniques, including controlled breathing, meditation, guided thought, and visualization.
over-the-counter muscle relaxants.
heated bags or pads, as well as warm drinks or foods.
eating and drinking foods, slowly, to prolong the absence of symptoms.
gently massage of the throat and neck.

Can your throat muscles weaken?

Certain conditions can weaken the throat muscles, making it difficult to move food from your mouth into your throat and esophagus when you start to swallow. You might choke, gag or cough when you try to swallow or have the sensation of food or fluids going down your windpipe (trachea) or up your nose.

How do you tighten your upper esophageal sphincter?

By lifting and holding the neck from a supine position for 60 seconds at a time, you create enough tension in the muscle associated with the upper esophageal sphincter that it can strengthen the valve.

What is Cricopharyngeal impression?

Cricopharyngeal bar refers to the radiographic appearance of a prominent cricopharyngeus muscle contour on barium swallow.

What virus causes achalasia?

Viral infection: Viruses, including the herpes simplex virus, are related to the development of achalasia.

How is Cricopharyngeal achalasia diagnosed?

To test for achalasia, your doctor is likely to recommend: Esophageal manometry. This test measures the rhythmic muscle contractions in your esophagus when you swallow, the coordination and force exerted by the esophagus muscles, and how well your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes or opens during a swallow.

Where do you feel Cricopharyngeal spasm?

Symptoms of cricopharyngeal spasm: Individuals with cricopharyngeal spasm may describe a persistent sensation—usually felt precisely at the level of the cricoid cartilage—of something stuck in the throat, like a “wad of phlegm” or a “golf ball,” which the person cannot swallow or spit out.

Do muscle relaxers help esophageal spasms?

Medicine: Pain medicine: This medicine helps take away or decrease pain caused by the spasms. Smooth muscle relaxants: This medicine may help your muscles and esophagus relax so it is easier for you to swallow. It may also decrease your pain and trouble swallowing.

Can esophageal spasms cause shortness of breath?

Symptoms that feel like esophageal spasm but occur with heavy sweating, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Change in the usual patterns of your symptoms of esophageal spasm (new pattern of spreading to the neck, back, shoulder or arm; pain that is more severe than usual)

What is painful swallowing called?

“Odynophagia” is the medical term for painful swallowing. Pain can be felt in your mouth, throat, or esophagus. You may experience painful swallowing when drinking or eating food. Sometimes swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, can accompany the pain, but odynophagia is often a condition of its own.

What causes Cricopharyngeal achalasia?

It results from failure of relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and may appea reither as an isolated lesion or in conjunction with other pathologies. Recognition and early diagnosis of this condition may minimize morbidity in children.

How does the Cricopharyngeus muscle relax?

Cricopharyngeal Dysphagia This muscle includes mostly type I slow-twitch striated muscle fibers and is innervated by the vagus nerve via the pharyngeal plexus. At rest, it is tonically contracted and relaxes during a successful swallow.

Can a hiatal hernia cause esophageal spasms?

In some people with a hiatal hernia, it refluxes into the lower esophagus that sets off nervous reflexes that can cause a cough or even spasm of the small airways within the lungs people.

What drinks are good for esophagitis?

Choose decaffeinated coffee, tea, or caffeine-free soft drinks. Sit upright when eating.

What foods help heal the esophagus?

fresh, frozen, and dried fruit.
fresh and frozen vegetables.
whole-grain breads and pasta.
brown rice.
beans.
lentils.
oats.
couscous.

Can nitroglycerin pills help esophageal spasms?

Nitroglycerin given under the tongue (sublingual) may help a sudden episode of esophageal spasm. Long-acting nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers are also used for the problem. Long-term (chronic) cases are sometimes treated with low-dose antidepressants such as trazodone or nortriptyline to reduce symptoms.

How do I know if something is wrong with my esophagus?

Abdominal pain, chest pain or back pain. Chronic cough or sore throat. Difficulty swallowing or feeling like food is stuck in your throat. Heartburn (burning feeling in your chest).

How is upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction treated?

Treatments for upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction include botulinum toxin injection into cricopharyngeal muscle, UES dilation, endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy or transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy.

How is a Cricopharyngeal bar treated?

Purpose: Cricopharyngeal (CP) bar is an uncommon but important cause for dysphagia. It can be treated with surgical myotomy, however endoscopic dilation is a safe and effective option that is less invasive than surgery.

What is the difference between achalasia and dysphagia?

In achalasia, dysphagia usually occurs with both solid and liquid food, whereas in esophageal stricture and cancer, the dysphagia typically occurs only with solid food and not liquids, until very late in the progression of the stricture.