title: Videofluoroscopy-guided balloon dilatation for the opening dysfunction of upper esophageal sphincter by postoperative vagus nerve injury: a report on two cases.
abstract: Dysphagia secondary to peripheral cranial nerve injury originates from weak and uncoordinated contraction-relaxation of cricopharyngeal muscle. We report on two patients who suffered vagus nerve injury during surgery and showed sudden dysphagia by opening dysfunction of upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Videofluoroscopy-guided balloon dilatation of UES was performed. We confirmed an early improvement of the opening dysfunctions of UES, although other neurologic symptoms persisted. While we did not have a proper comparison of cases, the videofluoroscopy-guided balloon dilatation of UES is thought to be helpful for the early recovery of dysphagia caused by postoperative vagus nerve injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Bora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Ikjun
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Jae
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Ik
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Kyoung
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Suk Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ohn
keywords: Balloon dilatation; Dysphagia; Vagus nerve injuries