Muscle Tension Dysphagia Evaluation and Treatment

Purpose This clinical focus article introduces primary and secondary muscle tension dysphagia (MTDg) as a functional idiopathic dysphagia that is often encountered in the otolaryngology clinic setting. Critical aspects of clinical assessment and treatment approaches will be discussed. The presented case study will describe a multidisciplinary evaluation and efficacy of therapy. Conclusions MTDg is a diagnosis of exclusion for a functional idiopathic swallowing disorder associated with abnormal laryngeal muscle tension. Abnormal laryngeal muscle tension is often associated with disorders of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness such as muscle tension dysphonia, chronic cough, globus pharyngeus, and paradoxical vocal fold motion. MTDg patients may exhibit concurrent disorders of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness. Proper dysphagia and gastroesophageal screening are critical in diagnosis of MTDg and must not be omitted. Our studies have shown high treatment efficacy with unloading of laryngeal muscle tension with the use of voice therapy technique utilized in treatment of muscle tension dysphonia.