Drug-induced dysphagia

Abstract

Dysphagia is a problem commonly treated and frequently diagnosed on the rehabilitation unit. It can be caused by trauma, injury, or diseases of the nervous system and can result in potentially serious and life threatening complications. The disruption of normal swallowing has also been reported to occur in psychiatric patients treated with psychotropic medication. Relatively unappreciated by physicians, and unreported by the rehabilitation patient, drug-induced dysphagia can likewise result in serious complications. This report describes a case of drug-induced dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia during the rehabilitation of a traumatically brain injured male who received psychotropic medication to control aggressive behavior. The course of his dysphagia was followed and documented both clinically and with videofluoroscopic studies.