09-13, 08:00–08:30 (Europe/Istanbul), Phoniatrics 4 + Swallowing
Outcome Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Recognize swallowing dysfunction patterns in a range of systemic diseases.
Analyze pathophysiological mechanisms linking systemic conditions to dysphagia.
Interpret VFSS and FEES findings in systemic disease-related swallowing disorders.
Compare therapeutic strategies for managing dysphagia in complex internal medicine patients.
Implement interdisciplinary assessment approaches in their clinical practice.
Structure of the Session
Brief overview of systemic diseases commonly associated with dysphagia
Pathophysiological insights for each condition
Case presentations with VFSS and FEES video analysis
Interactive discussion on evaluation and management strategies
Audience Q&A and takeaway clinical pearls
Background
Swallowing involves a complex neuromuscular coordination that can be disrupted by systemic diseases affecting the gastrointestinal, endocrine, connective tissue, or central nervous systems. Inflammatory bowel diseases can lead to pharyngeal dysmotility via systemic inflammation or medication effects. Fibromyalgia and amyloidosis may impair swallowing through myopathy or protein deposition in muscular and neural tissues. Hypothyroidism and Behçet’s disease can lead to structural or sensory abnormalities. Neurological diseases, whether central or peripheral, are well-known causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Despite their varied etiologies, these conditions often present with overlapping symptoms and require detailed instrumental evaluation for accurate diagnosis. VFSS and FEES are essential tools for identifying aspiration risk, residue, and impaired protective reflexes in this population.
The purpose of this session is to raise awareness and improve clinical understanding of dysphagia caused by systemic diseases, including inflammatory, endocrine, connective tissue, and neurological disorders. By presenting real patient cases supported with videofluoroscopic (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic (FEES) recordings, the session aims to demonstrate the diverse mechanisms by which systemic diseases affect swallowing
Dr. Emel Tahir has been working as an associate professor in Ondokuz Mayıs University Department of Otolaryngology, Samsun Turkey since March 2019.
She received his MD from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. He finished ENT residency at Hacettepe University Department of Otolaryngology, in 2015. For her fellowship work she worked on inner ear malformations.
She was engaged in Otology/Neurotology and Head&Neck Surgery certificate programs of Turkish Board of ORL-HNS. She is also a fellow of European Board of Otolatyngology-Hed and Neck Surgey. She is focused on otology/neurotology and laryngology.
Dr. Ibrahim Erensoy is a speech and language therapist and academic based in Turkey. He completed his doctoral studies in the field of Speech and Language Therapy, with a particular focus on swallowing disorders and neurogenic communication impairments. Dr. Erensoy has experience in both clinical practice and academic teaching and currently serves as a lecturer in a university setting. His research interests include dysphagia in neurological populations, the development and validation of clinical assessment tools, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation approaches. Dr. Erensoy has published scientific papers and contributed to the adaptation and validation of international clinical instruments into Turkish. He actively collaborates with otolaryngologists and neurologists and is committed to advancing the evidence-based practice of speech-language pathology in Turkey.