[Dysphagia--a multidisciplinary challenge].

Difficulty in swallowing, i.e. dysphagia should be distinguished from the sensation of a lump in the throat and the pain on swallowing. A careful anamnesis will help in determining the ailment as a problem of oral, pharyngeal or esophageal stage of swallowing. Videofluorography, FEES investigation and transnasal esophagoscopy as well as gastroscopy are helpful for the diagnosis. Cerebral infarction is the most significant cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Esophageal causes include reflux disease, tumors and achalasia. Diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of dysphagia patients require multidisciplinary collaboration. In addition, surgical therapy may be required.