Thyrotoxic Dysphagia in an 82-Year-Old Male

Abstract EN

Dysphagia is a common problem in elderly patients and a rare manifestation of Graves' disease.

We report a case of an 82-year-old male who presented with a 4-week history of dysphagia and weight loss.

Workup for his dysphagia with upper endoscopy, MRI brain, electromyography, acetyl-cholinesterase receptor antibodies, and voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies were negative.

Modified Barium swallow test showed oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Thyroid function tests that revealed hyperthyroidism and antibodies to TSH-receptor were positive.

Based on the above findings, we considered Graves' disease as the most likely diagnosis.

Patient was treated with methimazole and beta-blockers and subsequently his dysphagia resolved.

This paper highlights the importance to clinicians of considering thyrotoxicosis as possible diagnosis in an elderly patient presenting with unexplained dysphagia.