Dysphagia complications of the Minerva brace

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
I R Odderson, D Lietzow

Abstract

The effects of cervical bracing on swallowing function have not been evaluated in neurologically intact individuals. An 83-year-old woman fell, striking her head, and suffered C1, odontoid, and C3 fractures. She had no neurologic deficits and was placed in a Minerva brace. Subsequently, she developed coughing during her meals, a low-grade fever, and transient hoarseness, and complained of stiffness in the facial muscles. Aspiration pneumonia in the left lower lobe was diagnosed. In the absence of any neurologic condition, this was attributed to the Minerva brace. Less than 1 week later, the brace was replaced with a halo-vest, and the dysphagia resolved. This case shows that dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia may be caused by wearing a cervical brace and illustrates the importance of assessing swallowing in individuals who wear such braces. Particular attention should be paid to swallowing and cervical bracing in patients with additional risk factors for dysphagia such as advanced age or neurologic deficits.

References

Jan 1, 1990·Orthopaedic Nursing·B Olson, L Ustanko
Mar 1, 1988·Spine·J A BrownW T Jackson
Dec 1, 1986·Journal of Neurosurgery·J A GlaserJ A Jane
Nov 1, 1994·The Journal of Trauma·B PlaisierL M Jacobs

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Citations

Dec 26, 2017·Clinical Medicine Insights. Ear, Nose and Throat·Pegah Saddat HosseiniFatemeh Abnavi
Nov 3, 2010·The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·Steven S AgabegiHarry N Herkowitz
Jul 13, 2019·Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal·Timothy N BaergGlenn E Green
Sep 17, 1999·Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·S KirshblumP Jarosz

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