Healthcare Specialties

Dysphagia

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Center for Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders

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The Center for Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders at Baylor Medicine in Houston, Texas, is an unparalleled collaboration between three unique specialties with dedicated interests in dysphagia. We provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach with a team of otolaryngologists, thoracic surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, speech therapists and nutritionists to evaluate and treat patients who have difficulty swallowing food or liquids. A commitment to research, advancing medical education, and measurement of outcomes allows us to bring best-practice and state-of-the-art technologies to our patients.

The center strives to establish a diagnosis quickly and we work carefully with each patient to establish an individualized treatment plan.

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Conditions We Treat

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Pharyngeal Dysfunction

  • Aspiration
  • Cricopharyngeal bar
  • Cricopharyngeal dysfunction
  • Vocal paralysis

Esophageal Dysmotility

  • Achalasia
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Esophagitis
  • Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction
  • Hypercontractile esophagus (jackhammer esophagus)
  • Ineffective esophageal motility
  • Scleroderma

Reflux

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Hiatal hernias
  • Laryngoesophageal reflux
  • Paraesophageal hernias
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Esophageal diverticuli
  • Esophageal strictures
  • Zenker's diverticuli
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Procedures

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We offer the following treatments and procedures:

  • Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection
  • Cricopharyngeal myotomy (endoscopic/open)
  • Laparoscopic Heller myotomy
  • Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and Nissen fundoplication
  • Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair
  • LINX procedure for GERD
  • Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
  • Speech and swallowing therapy
  • Vocal injection/medialization
  • Zenker’s diverticulostomy (endoscopic/open)
  • Neurology consultation
  • Psychiatry consultation
  • Endoscopic or laparoscopic feeding tube placement
  • Nutrition consultation
  • Esophageal dilation
  • Esophageal stent placement
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Esophagectomy
  • Minimally invasive esophagectomy
  • Radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus