Pharyngeal Dysphagia in Alcoholic Myopathy
Authors: LAWRENCE D. WEBER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Brief Reports1 August 1981Pharyngeal Dysphagia in Alcoholic MyopathyLAWRENCE D. WEBER, M.D., DAVID J. NASHEL, M.D., MARK H. MELLOW, M.D.LAWRENCE D. WEBER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, DAVID J. NASHEL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, MARK H. MELLOW, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-95-2-189 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAlcohol exerts a direct toxic effect on striated muscle (1, 2). In chronic alcoholism, a myopathy may develop with varied clinical expression, ranging from asymptomatic serum enzyme elevations to acute rhabdomyolysis (3). Muscle weakness need not be limited to the extremities, and facial muscles are occasionally affected (3). We report a case of dysphagia caused by weakness in the skeletal muscle of the pharynx and proximal esophagus, accompanying alcoholic myopathy.A 62-year-old black man, hospitalized in November 1979, presented with increasing dysphagia and weakness in the extremities starting 3 weeks before. He had been consuming ½ to 1 pint of...References1. SONGRUBIN SE. Ethanol produces muscle damage in human volunteers. Science. 1972;175:327-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. RUBIN E. Alcoholic myopathy in heart and skeletal muscle. N Engl J Med. 1979;301:28-33. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. PERKOFFDIOSOBLEISCHKLINKERFUSS GMVG. A spectrum of myopathy associated with alcoholism. I. Clinical and laboratory features. Ann Intern Med. 1967;67:481-92. LinkGoogle Scholar4. KNOCHEL J. The pathophysiology and clinical characteristics of severe hypophosphatemia. Arch Intern Med. 1977;137:203-20. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. DANIELIDESMELLOW IM. Effect of acute hypercalcemia on human esophageal motility. Gastroenterology. 1978;76:1115-20. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. HAMEDLINDEMAN IR. Dysphagia and vertical nystagmus in magnesium deficiency. Ann Intern Med. 1978;89:222-3. LinkGoogle Scholar7. MAYERGRABOWSKIFISHER ECR. Effect of graded doses of alcohol upon esophageal motor dysfunction. Gastroenterology. 1978;75:1133-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. WINSHIPCAFLISCHZBRALSKEHOGAN DCFW. Deterioration of esophageal peristalsis in patients with alcoholic myopathy. Gastroenterology. 1968;55:173-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. TURNERLIPSHUTZMILLERRITTENBERGSCHUMACHERCOHEN RWWGHS. Esophageal dysfunction in collagen disease. Am J Med Sci. 1973;265:191-201. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. KILMANGOYAL WR. Disorders of pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter motor function. Arch Intern Med. 1976;136:592-601. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Veterans Administration Medical Center The Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington, D.C. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByÉthanolEthanolAlcoholic muscle disease: Features and mechanismsAn Approach to Throat ComplaintsAn Alcoholic Woman Who Couldn't SwallowReferences 1 August 1981Volume 95, Issue 2Page: 189-191KeywordsAlcoholicsAlcoholismAlcoholsDysphagiaEnzymesEsophagusMusclesPharynxRhabdomyolysisSkeletal muscles Issue Published: 1 August 1981 PDF DownloadLoading ...