Balloon Catheter Dilatation for Treatment of a Patient With Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction After Thermal Burn Injury

Deglutition disorder is a clinical symptom that has been associated with inhalation and cutaneous thermal burn injuries. Deglutition disorder is present in approximately 11% of patients with burn injury and is known to persist for weeks to months postinjury. Here, we report a case of deglutition disorder associated with cricopharyngeal dysfunction in a patient with thermal burn injury. Two patients presented with deglutition disorder lasting for several weeks after thermal injury. Clinically, it manifested as combined liquid and solid food dysphagia. The findings of videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) were poor relaxation of the pharyngoesophageal sphincter (PES), decreased elevation of the laryngohyoid, and inadequate pharyngeal contraction. The PES was dilated with a 20-mm expansion balloon catheter multiple times. The symptoms of deglutition disorder were relieved immediately after the procedure. Balloon catheter dilatation was performed four times at 1- to 2-week intervals. Follow-up VFSS showed that poor relaxation of the PES was improved. The VFSS showed no recurrence at the 3-month follow-up. We found that balloon catheter dilatation for treatment of a patient with cricopharyngeal dysfunction after thermal burn injury was effective, ease of use, and safe.