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Published on: August 11, 2023
Polymyositis with dysphagia treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation
Hiromi Nagano1, Kousuke Yoshifuku, Yuichi Kurono
1Department of Otolaryngology, Ooshima Prefecture Hospital, 18-1 Manatu, Amami, Kagoshima, 894-0015, Japan. hiromi.n.6_9@k3.dion.ne.jp
Auris, Nasus, Larynx
|June 2, 2009
Summary
Polymyositis, an autoimmune muscle disease, can cause dysphagia. Endoscopic balloon dilation effectively treated dysphagia in an elderly polymyositis patient when other methods failed.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
Background:
- Polymyositis is an autoimmune disorder causing muscle inflammation and weakness.
- Dysphagia is a potential complication, significantly impacting patient quality of life.
Observation:
- An 80-year-old male presented with dysphagia and limb muscle weakness.
- Diagnosis of polymyositis was confirmed by clinical, electrophysiological, and biochemical markers (elevated creatine phosphokinase).
- The patient was positive for HLA-DR3.
Findings:
- Standard treatment with intravenous prednisone did not alleviate dysphagia.
- Cricopharyngeal myotomy was contraindicated due to the patient's heart failure.
- Endoscopic balloon dilation provided rapid and significant improvement in dysphagia.
Implications:
- Endoscopic balloon dilation presents a safe and effective therapeutic option for dysphagia in polymyositis patients.
- This minimally invasive approach may be considered when conventional treatments or surgical interventions are not feasible.
- Highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management for complex cases of polymyositis.
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