BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is the main symptom of diseases of the esophagus, being manifested by deglutition difficulties, which reaches the oropharynx and stomach pathway. Is a common daily complaint in the clinical practice, involving numerous specialties regarding its investigation. METHODS: An international literature review was made using Pubmed (www.pubmed.com) and a national utilizing (www.lilacs.br) the following keywords: dysphagia and deglutition disorders. The extension of the subject was limited to the following areas: etiology, diagnosis and complementary exams which were aplicable to exploratory propedeutics. CONCLUSION: Eventhough the literature presents a good understanding of the dysphagic process, the need for multiple complementary exams is frequent during diagnosis, developing a better understanding of what the patient has, adequately orienting which conduct should be taken.
Deglutition disorders; Esophageal diseases
