NASPGHAN Dysphagia Webinar: Dr. Khalil El-Chammas, Dr. Peter Osgood, and Dr. Jose Garza

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I signed up for this webinar mainly to hear my partner Jose Garza’s presentation (who presented last), though all the speakers were good. I took a couple screenshots on my phone during the presentations. The webinar is available/archived at NASPGHAN website.

  • Dr. El-Chammas’ presentation gave a quick review on normal swallowing physiology, modalities for evaluation (eg. VSS, FEES) and showed some cool slides particularly with regard to pharyngeal manometry.
  • Dr. Osgood reviewed the etiologies/workup for dysphagia including helpful slides on esophagrams, FLIP and manometry.
Manometry typical of Type 2 Achalasia
  • Dr. Garza provided insightful information on gastric vs supragastric belching. Supragastric belching can be treated with diaphragmatic breathing and cognitive behavioral therapy. Supragastric belching has shown poor response to pharmacologic therapy. He also explained the physiology behind the inability to burp.
Important to distinguish reason for belching as this affect management
This study shows that with gastric belching the air works its way from the stomach up and with supragastric belching air is swallowed and expelled from the esophagus

My take: Our motility colleagues have some cool toys. When the treatments are as good as the toys, being a motility specialist will be even more fun.