Post-tonsillectomy dysphagia secondary to glossopharyngeal nerve injury

Abstract

The glossopharyngeal nerve lies in close proximity to the tonsillar fossa making it susceptible to injury during tonsillectomy, though it is uncommonly injured in practice. We present a case of severe dysphagia due to glossopharyngeal nerve injury following tonsillectomy and demonstrate the efficacy of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), a novel stepwise exercise-based rehabilitation program, in improving clinical outcomes. In patients with persistent, severe dysphagia following tonsillectomy, glossopharyngeal nerve injury should be on the differential diagnosis. The MDTP is one method by which clinicians may be able to treat this complex condition.

Keywords: cranial nerves; ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; otolaryngology / ENT; physiotherapy (rehabilitation).