Deglutition disorders caused by an injury to the foramen lacerum posterior

Dysphagia due to a traumatic lesion of the foramen lacerum posterior is relatively rare. Two cases are described in which swallowing troubles were perceived when the post-traumatic coma improved; these were ascribed to a traumatic lesion of the foramen lacerum posterior injuring the cranial nerves. Treatment involves preventing inhalation and nasogastric feeding whilst starting active and early rehabilitation of swallowing. Recovery is possible in most cases without surgery.