Retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD): What do we know so far?

OBJECTIVE

This comprehensive review aims to explain the disease pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management options.

METHODS

A review was carried out in the following databases: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The following terms were used alone and combined: Retrograde, Cricopharyngeus muscle, Dysfunction, Abelchia, and inability to burp.

RESULTS

A total of 68 articles were identified, and only 11 were found to be relevant and included in writing this review. Retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD) is a relatively new disease entity that has recently been described in clinical literature. It is caused by the inability of the cricopharyngeus muscle to relax. Unlike cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD), which is well-known and characterized by dysphagia, R-CPD is characterized by the inability to belch in almost all patients, which is considered diagnostic for the condition.

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the definitive diagnostic modality. Most patients reported in the literature responded well to treatment with botulinum toxin injection.