Etymed
dysphagia
Definition
Difficulty or pain in swallowing
Clinical context
A 65-year-old man presents to the emergency department with progressive difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids over the past two weeks. He reports pain when swallowing and has lost 15 pounds. On examination, he has cervical lymphadenopathy. A barium swallow study reveals a stricture in the esophagus. What is the most likely diagnosis? What additional history would be most helpful in determining the underlying cause?
Mnemonic
Dysphagia = Difficulty Swallowing - Think 'Dysfunctional Swallowing' or 'Dysfunction in the esophagus'