title: Thyrotoxic Dysphagia in an 82-year-old male.
abstract: Dysphagia is a common problem in elderly patients and a rare manifestation of Graves' disease. We report a case of an 82-year-old male who presented with a 4-week history of dysphagia and weight loss. Workup for his dysphagia with upper endoscopy, MRI brain, electromyography, acetyl-cholinesterase receptor antibodies, and voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies were negative. Modified Barium swallow test showed oropharyngeal dysphagia. Thyroid function tests that revealed hyperthyroidism and antibodies to TSH-receptor were positive. Based on the above findings, we considered Graves' disease as the most likely diagnosis. Patient was treated with methimazole and beta-blockers and subsequently his dysphagia resolved. This paper highlights the importance to clinicians of considering thyrotoxicosis as possible diagnosis in an elderly patient presenting with unexplained dysphagia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parperis
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dadu
authors.forename: Sheikh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoq
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Argento