Case report: A case of novel treatment for retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction

Retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD) is a recently described disorder characterized by an inability to belch, excessive flatulence, unpleasant gurgling noises, and discomfort in the lower neck, chest, and abdomen. Herein, we describe a case of R-CPD in a 19-year-old man. The patient suffered from flatulence and was unable to belch since birth; auxiliary examination of his digestive system was normal. He was diagnosed with R-CPD based on clinical manifestations and laboratory results. He received an injection of botulinum toxin to the cricopharyngeal muscle under ultrasound, catheter balloon, and electromyographic guidance. His symptoms completely resolved 1 week after the injection.

[1]  P. Kahrilas.  Retrograde upper esophageal sphincter function… and dysfunction , 2022, Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society.

[2]  A. Bredenoord,et al.  The inability to belch syndrome: A study using concurrent high‐resolution manometry and impedance monitoring , 2021, Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society.

[3]  Z. Dou,et al.  The Effect of Combined Guidance of Botulinum Toxin Injection with Ultrasound, Catheter Balloon, and Electromyography on Neurogenic Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Prospective Study , 2021, Dysphagia.

[4]  Z. Dou,et al.  Design and implementation of botulinum toxin on cricopharyngeal dysfunction guided by a combination of catheter balloon, ultrasound, and electromyography (BECURE) in patients with stroke: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial , 2021, Trials.

[5]  R. Bastian,et al.  Efficacy and Safety of Electromyography-Guided Injection of Botulinum Toxin to Treat Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction , 2021, OTO open.

[6]  R. Bastian,et al.  Partial Cricopharyngeal Myotomy for Treatment of Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction , 2020, OTO open.

[7]  R. Bastian,et al.  Inability to Belch and Associated Symptoms Due to Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment , 2019, OTO open.

[8]  Y. Yi,et al.  Characteristics of Cricopharyngeal Dysphagia After Ischemic Stroke , 2018, Annals of rehabilitation medicine.

[9]  A. Bredenoord,et al.  Physiologic and pathologic belching. , 2007, Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

[10]  R. Shaker,et al.  An overview of the upper esophageal sphincter , 2000, Current gastroenterology reports.

[11]  R. Goyal,et al.  Functional anatomy and physiology of the upper esophageal sphincter. , 2000, The American journal of medicine.

[12]  J. Manson,et al.  Prospective Study of , 2007 .

[13]  P A Dekker-de Kiefte,et al.  Diagnosis and Treatment , 2020, Diabetes.