Karl C. Schlobohm MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Daniel David Tarver MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dmitriy Grigoriy Akselrod MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Brendan Michael Banyon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert D'Agostino MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

1. Recognize the imaging characteristics and differential diagnosis of common and uncommon causes of dysphagia and odynophagia in the ER population. 2. Understand the importance of clinical history and review indications and tecniques for esophagrams in these patients.  

Special consideration should be given to patients with acute swallowing difficulties. The varying causes of dysphagia and odynophagia make  the clinical history and choice of imaging technique important in making accurate diagnoses and aiding in patient management. Cases will be drawn from the Emergency Room at the University of Vermont/Fletcher Allen Health Care. All patients presented with a chief complaint of difficult or painful swallowing. Using a quiz  format, clinical history, techiques for esophagram, imaging findings, diffential diagnosis and final diagnosis will be presented. Diagnoses will be supported by radiographic, endoscopic, and pathologic images. Cases presented will include candiadisis, pill esophagitis, food impaction, foreign body, radiation stricture, giant peptic ulcer,  eosinophilic esophagitis, complication of gastric banding, along with others. Important information to relay to the emergency department will conclude each case.  

Cases will be presented where an esophagram used for accurate rapid diagnosis, assisting in effective management.

Schlobohm, K, Tarver, D, Akselrod, D, Banyon, B, D'Agostino, R, Hard to Swallow: Dysphagia, Odynophagia, and the Esophagram in the Emergency Department.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13011296.html