Extra-thoracic Extrinsic Compression: An Unusual Cause of Dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia affects one in twenty-five adults yearly in the United States. OBJECTIVE: While dysphagia may be common, the prevalence of dysphagia may be underestimated primarily due to under-reporting. Dysphagia may be caused by intraluminal, intrinsic, extrinsic, or motility disorders. METHOD/RESULTS: We present a case of dysphagia caused by extra-thoracic extrinsic compression due to bra use. CONCLUSION: Despite many published reports on dysphagia caused by other diagnoses, we occasionally overlook extrinsic abdominal compression as the cause for dysphagia.