Dysphagia, oropharyngeal phase
ICD-10 R13.12 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of dysphagia, oropharyngeal phase.
Dysphagia, oropharyngeal phase, refers to difficulty in swallowing that occurs during the oropharyngeal phase of the swallowing process. This phase involves the movement of food from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus. Symptoms may include a sensation of food being stuck in the throat, coughing or choking during meals, drooling, and difficulty initiating swallowing. Patients may also experience pain while swallowing (odynophagia) and may avoid certain foods or liquids due to fear of choking. The condition can result from various underlying causes, including neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease), muscular disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis), structural abnormalities (e.g., tumors, strictures), and inflammatory conditions (e.g., infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease). Accurate diagnosis often requires a thorough clinical evaluation, including a detailed history, physical examination, and possibly imaging studies or endoscopic evaluation to assess the swallowing mechanism.
Comprehensive history of swallowing difficulties, including onset, duration, and associated symptoms.
Patients presenting with unexplained weight loss, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, or chronic cough.
Consideration of comorbidities such as diabetes or neurological disorders that may complicate dysphagia.
Acute assessment of airway compromise, vital signs, and immediate interventions.
Patients presenting with acute choking episodes or aspiration events.
Rapid evaluation of the patient's airway and the need for potential emergency interventions.
Used when a patient is evaluated for swallowing difficulties.
Document the clinical rationale for the evaluation and findings.
Speech-language pathology may be involved in the assessment.
Common causes include neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease), muscular disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis), structural abnormalities (e.g., tumors), and inflammatory conditions (e.g., infections).
Diagnosis typically involves a detailed clinical history, physical examination, and may include imaging studies or endoscopic evaluations to assess swallowing function.
