Odynophagia physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sunny Kumar MD [2]

Physical examination of patients with odynophagia is dependent on the underlying cause. Patients with odynophagia usually appear in discomfort. May be feverish and tachycardic in case of inflammation. May have exanthem in case of viremia or bacteremia. Neuromuscular examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal. However in cases of URTI causing meningitis may produce symptoms of meningeal irritation.

Following examination finding are required to evaluate the patient of odynophagia:

Physical examination of patients with odynophagia is dependent on the underlying cause. Please click the specified disease below to see the full physical exam.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]} 

• Patients with odynophagia usually appear in discomfort.

• Normal
• May be feverish and have tachycardia in case of inflammation.

• Skin examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal.
• May have exanthem in case of viremia or bacteremia.

• Head and eyes examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.
• ENT examination may reveal signs of inflammation as URTI.
•  stomatodynia (pain in mouth) may possibly accompany oral inflammation.

• Neck examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal, but may presents with masses or swelling of the neck depending on the underlying cause.
  • Laryngeal Cancer
  • Thyroid goiters
  • Esophageal cancers

• Pulmonary examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal.

• Cardiovascular examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal.
• Esophageal spasms – diffuse or nutcracker syndrome may confuse with cardiac causes so it is important to differentiate by performing cardiac exam.

• Abdominal examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal.

• Epigastric mild tenderness may be appreciated in case of GERD esophageal tears/perforation.

• Back examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal.
• Pain may be felt in patients with esophageal tears/perforation.

• Genitourinary examination of patients with dysphagia is usually normal.

• Neuromuscular examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal. However in cases of URTI causing meningitis may produce symptoms of meningeal irritation.

• Extremities examination of patients with odynophagia is usually normal.

Template:WH Template:WS