Muscle Tension Dysphagia: An Expanded Investigation of Clinical Presentations and Swallowing Kinematics.

PURPOSE: This study retrospectively examined patient-reported symptoms, quality of life, and swallowing kinematics in individuals with presumed muscle tension dysphagia (MTDg). METHOD: Twenty-six individuals met the inclusion criteria. Data were gathered from patient-reported outcome measures (PROs), symptomology, clinician reports of palpation, and hyolaryngeal and hyoid movements measured on a 20-ml thin liquid bolus during videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. RESULTS: All PROs were outside of typical limits, except for the Voice Handicap Index-10. Mean hyoid excursion was 1.52 cm (SD = 0.46, range: 0.76-2.43), and hyolaryngeal excursion was 0.77 cm (SD = 0.44, range: -0.42-1.68). A minority of participants (4%-19%) demonstrated atypical hyoid and/or hyolaryngeal excursion compared to the available normative reference value sets. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals demonstrated abnormalities in the clinical evaluation of the areas of palpation and reported perilaryngeal discomfort and symptoms of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness, with a negative impact on their quality of life across various PROs. Atypical hyoid and/or hyolaryngeal excursion during swallowing was rare when compared to available normative reference values. The clinical evaluation of MTDg may be enhanced by including components related to muscle tension and laryngeal hyperresponsiveness in order to differentiate MTDg from idiopathic functional dysphagia and lead the patient to the otolaryngology/speech-language pathology clinic for intervention and management.

Actualización sobre el síndrome de Eagle y sus complicaciones neurocardiológicas: casos clínicos / An update on Eagle´s syndrome and its neuro-cardiological complications: clinical cases

El síndrome de Eagle o síndrome estilohioideo o sín-drome de la arteria carótida es un trastorno que se origina por la mineralización y elongación del pro-ceso estiloides. Factores traumáticos agudos y cró-nicos, así como otras teorías, han sido propuestos para explicar la etiología y patogenia de esta altera-ción. El conjunto de síntomas puede incluir: dolor fa-ríngeo, odinofagia, disfagia, cefalea, con irradiación a oreja y zona cervical. Si bien existen varias clasifi-caciones, de manera universal se acepta que existen principalmente dos formas de presentación de esta patología: el tipo I o clásico, generalmente asociado a un trauma faríngeo y acompañado de dolor en la zona faríngea y cervical, y el tipo II o carotídeo, que sue-le presentar molestia cervical, cefalea y alteración de la presión arterial, con riesgo de daño de la ac-tividad cardíaca. La identificación de este síndrome suele ser confusa dada la similitud de los síntomas con otras afecciones. El diagnóstico debe realizarse en base a los síntomas y a los estudios por imágenes específicos. El tratamiento puede ser conservador y actuar simplemente sobre los síntomas, o bien, qui-rúrgico. El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar una revisión actualizada de la literatura sobre el sín-drome de Eagle y presentar tres casos clínicos con distintas manifestaciones (AU)

Eagle's syndrome or styloid syndrome or stylo-carotid artery syndrome is a disease caused by mineralization and elongation of the styloid process. Acute and chronic traumatic factors, along with other hypothesis, have been proposed to explain the aetiology and pathogenesis of this condition. Symptoms can include: pharynx pain, odynophagia, dysphagia, headache, with radiating pain to the ear and neck. Despite there are several classifications, it is universally accepted that this pathology can present in two forms: the type I or classic, generally associated to tonsillar trauma and characterized by pharyngeal and neck pain, and the type II or carotid artery type, which frequently presents with neck pain, headache, blood pressure variation, with risk of damage to cardiac function. Identifying of Eagle's syndrome is often confusing because some symptoms are shared with other pathologies. Diagnosis must be made on the basis of symptoms and imaging studies. Treatment can be conservative, acting only on symptoms, or surgical. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review of the literature on Eagle syndrome and to present three clinical cases with different manifestations (AU)

Hyoid kinematic features for poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.

Identification of prognostic factors for swallowing recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia is crucial for determining therapeutic strategies. We aimed at exploring hyoid kinematic features of poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Of 122 patients who experienced dysphagia following ischemic stroke, 18 with poor prognosis, and 18 age- and sex-matched patients with good prognosis were selected and retrospectively reviewed. Positional data of the hyoid bone during swallowing were obtained from the initial videofluoroscopic swallowing study after stroke onset. Normalized hyoid profiles of displacement/velocity and direction angle were analyzed using functional regression analysis, and maximal or mean values were compared between the good and poor prognosis patient groups. Kinematic analysis showed that maximal horizontal displacement (P = 0.031) and velocity (P = 0.034) in forward hyoid motions were significantly reduced in patients with poor prognosis compared to those with good prognosis. Mean direction angle for the initial swallowing phase was significantly lower in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis (P = 0.0498). Our study revealed that reduced horizontal forward and altered initial backward motions of the hyoid bone during swallowing can be novel kinematic features indicating poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.

Unrecognized difficult airway management during anesthesia in two brachycephalic dogs with narrow cricoid cartilage.

Difficulty in airway management during anesthesia was noted in a 10-year-old, castrated, male Pekingese dog and a 13-year-old male French Bulldog. They showed strong resistance during tracheal tube insertion through the subglottic lumen. Therefore, the airway was secured by using a small endotracheal tube or supraglottic airway device. Computed tomography scan revealed a markedly narrower vertical dimension of the cricoid cartilage compared to that seen in common brachycephalic breeds. Posterior glottis was relatively more accessible for translaryngeal intubation in the present cases. Our findings showed that brachycephalic airway syndrome may be associated with narrow cricoid cartilage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical case report of airway management during anesthesia in dogs with narrow cricoid cartilage.

May ultrasonography be considered a useful tool for bedside screening of dysphagia in patients with acute stroke? A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a primary risk factor for pneumonia and affects around 50% of acute stroke patients. Systematic bedside swallowing screening of acute stroke patients is recommended before oral intake. Currently there is lack of comprehensive dysphagia assessment tools with robust good accuracy, clinical utility and cost-effectiveness. An altered hyoid bone movement may represent a major risk factor for aspiration. Ultrasonography quantitatively measures hyoid-larynx approximation, which was found reduced in stroke patients with dysphagia. Although ultrasonography was suggested for assessing stroke patients with dysphagia, there is lack of evidence about the acute phase of stroke. Thus, our aim was to investigate the use of ultrasonography for bedside screening of dysphagia in acute stroke patients. METHODS: Nineteen acute stroke patients were included. Each patient performed clinical bedside screening for dysphagia by means of the Gugging Swallow Screen and the Functional Oral Intake Scale. Furthermore, all patients underwent ultrasonography in order to measure the distance between the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone during swallowing (water bolus of 3 mL). The hyoid-larynx approximation distance (obtained by subtracting [a-b] the shortest distance between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during swallowing (b) from the initial resting distance (a) and degree {[(a-b)/a]×100} were calculated). RESULTS: The Functional Oral Intake Scale showed a significant direct association with the hyoid-larynx approximation distance (P=0.011) and degree (P=0.005). Also, the Gugging Swallow Screen showed a significant direct association with the hyoid-larynx approximation distance (P=0.008) and degree (P=0.004). The hyoid-larynx approximation distance and degree were significantly reduced in dysphagic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of ultrasonography in aid of swallowing clinical (non-instrumental) evaluation for the bedside screening of dysphagia in acute stroke patients.

Time Course and Recovery of the Movements of Hyoid Bone and Thyroid Cartilage During Swallowing in a Patient With Sarcopenic Dysphagia.

Sarcopenia is known to adversely affect swallowing function. In this report, we describe the treatment progress of an older patient with dysphagia caused by sarcopenia and the analysis results from videofluorographic examination images. An 89-yr-old man who had been hospitalized for lumbar fracture experienced lower back pain and thus had his oral intake reduced. After transfer to a rehabilitation hospital, he developed aspiration pneumonia and then sarcopenia with low nutrition and low activity. At the beginning of intervention, he aspirated food paste, but he recovered sufficiently to be able to ingest a normal meal via a nutritional approach combined with rehabilitation at the time of discharge. During this process, the maximum amounts of displacements and maximum moving velocities of his hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during swallowing of moderately thick water were improved. Adequate nutrition intake and training for hyoid muscles are considered effective for the patient with sarcopenic dysphagia. It was concluded that measuring the maximum displacements and moving velocities of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage during swallowing in patients with sarcopenic dysphagia was an effective way to monitor their improvement.

The Prediction of Risk of Penetration-Aspiration Via Hyoid Bone Displacement Features.

Videofluoroscopic swallow studies are widely used in clinical and research settings to assess swallow function and to determine physiological impairments, diet recommendations, and treatment goals for people with dysphagia. Videofluoroscopy can be used to analyze biomechanical events of swallowing, including hyoid bone displacement, to differentiate between normal and disordered swallow functions. Previous research has found significant associations between hyoid bone displacement and penetration/aspiration during swallowing, but the predictive value of hyoid bone displacement during swallowing has not been explored. The primary objective of this study was to build a model based on aspects of hyoid bone displacement during swallowing to predict the extent of airway penetration or aspiration during swallowing. Aspects of hyoid bone displacement from 1433 swallows from patients referred for videofluoroscopy were analyzed to determine which aspects predicted risk of penetration and aspiration according to the Penetration-Aspiration Scale. A generalized estimating equation incorporating components of hyoid bone displacement and variables shown to impact penetration and aspiration (such as age, bolus volume, and viscosity) was used to evaluate penetration and aspiration risk. Results indicated that anterior-horizontal hyoid bone displacement was the only aspect of hyoid bone displacement predictive of penetration and aspiration risk. Further research should focus on improving the model performance by identifying additional physiological swallowing events that predict penetration and aspiration risk. The model built for this study, and future modified models, will be beneficial for clinicians to use in the assessment and treatment of people with dysphagia, and for potentially tracking improvement in hyolaryngeal excursion resulting from dysphagia treatment, thus mitigating adverse outcomes that can occur secondary to dysphagia.

Effects of resistive jaw opening exercise in stroke patients with dysphagia: A double- blind, randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The resistive jaw opening exercise (RJOE) was suggested as a potential remedial treatment for patients with dysphagia. However, clinical evidence is insufficient. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of RJOE on hyoid bone movement, aspiration, and oral intake level in stroke patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Forty stroke patients with dysphagia were randomly allocated into either the experimental group (n= 20) or placebo group (n= 20). The experimental group performed RJOE using a portable device, while the placebo group performed RJOE using a sham device with fewer loads. Intervention was conducted 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Hyoid bone movement was analyzed by two-dimensional analysis of anterior and superior motion based on a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Aspiration was assessed using a penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), and oral intake level was assessed using the functional oral intake scale (FOIS). RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in hyoid movement, PAS, and FOIS scale (p< 0.05). However, after the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups except for the liquid type of PAS. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were 0.9 and 0.7, 0.6 and 0.6, and 1.1 for the anterior and superior movement of the hyoid bone, semisolid and liquid type of PAS, and FOIS scale respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that RJOE helps in hyoid movement, aspiration reduction, and oral intake in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

Impaired Movement Scaling and Reduced Synchrony with Vestibule Closure Characterize Swallowing in Severe Dysphagia.

The contribution of hyoid and laryngeal movement deficits to penetration or aspiration in dysphagia is unclear, partly due to large variations in normal hyolaryngeal kinematics for swallowing. In healthy volunteers, laryngeal and hyoid kinematics relate to the requirements for laryngeal vestibule closure suggesting a central schematic control of movement magnitude and patterning for airway protection. Our first aim was to determine if patients with severe dysphagia showed evidence of an impaired swallowing schema, by examining if their kinematic measures were related to their hyolaryngeal space before swallow onset, and if hyolaryngeal movement synchrony for vestibule closure was disrupted. Our second aim was to determine the kinematic measures that predicted bolus penetration and aspiration in dysphagia. The methods included two-dimensional measures of the hyoid and laryngeal anterior and superior displacement and velocity, and the change in laryngeal vestibule area made from videofluoroscopic swallow recordings of 21 healthy volunteers and 21 patients with dysphagia on tube feeding secondary to the stroke or head and neck cancer. The results demonstrated that the patients did not adapt their hyolaryngeal movements during swallowing to their initial hyolaryngeal space. Further, none of the patients' measures of hyoid or laryngeal peak velocity timing were synchronized with vestibule closure, demonstrating a disorganized movement patterning. Laryngeal elevation peak velocity independently predicted penetration and aspiration. In conclusion, the central schema for swallowing patterning was disturbed, impairing the integration of kinematic actions for airway protection in severe dysphagia, while laryngeal peak elevation velocity predicted penetration and aspiration on patient swallows.

Temporal and Sequential Analysis of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing in Poststroke Patients.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of the temporal and sequential events of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in 45 poststroke patients who presented or did not present with supraglottic penetration and/or laryngotracheal aspiration and to compare the groups with each other and to a group of 46 patients with normal swallowing. All individuals were assessed by videofluoroscopy and the temporal and sequential measures for the swallowing of 3 mL and 5 mL of thickened liquid, 3 mL of liquid, and 3 mL and 5 mL of pasty were obtained by analyzing the recorded exams on Virtual Dub software. The following events were measured: time of maximal displacement and sustaining of the hyoid and larynx, duration of velopharyngeal sphincter (VS) and supraglottic closure, total inversion time of the epiglottis, duration of pharyngeal constriction, and duration of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening. For the analysis of the temporal sequence, the initial time of larynx and hyoid elevation, VS closure, epiglottic inversion, supraglottic closure, pharyngeal constriction, and opening of the UES were obtained. For 5 mL of thickened liquid, the maximum hyoid elevation time was greater for patients with normal swallowing and the time the supraglottis remained closed was higher in the aspirators group. The time of pharyngeal constriction during swallowing of 3 mL of thickened liquid was lower in the aspirators group. During the swallowing of 3 mL of thin liquid, it was observed that in the aspirators group, the larynx took longer to reach its maximum elevation and the epiglottis took longer to complete its total inversion. The analysis of the temporal sequence showed that patients in the aspirators group presented greater disorganization with significant alteration of the time interval between the events.

The Effects of Different Exercise Trainings on Suprahyoid Muscle Activation, Tongue Pressure Force and Dysphagia Limit in Healthy Subjects.

Suprahyoid muscle activation and tongue pressure force play a critical role for swallowing function. In addition, dysphagia limit is one of most important factors indicating swallowing efficiency. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 8-week training sessions of three different exercises including chin tuck against resistance (CTAR), Shaker exercises and chin tuck exercise with theraband on suprahyoid muscle activity, anterior tongue pressure and dysphagia limit in healthy subjects. Thirty-six healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 40 years who scored below 3 points from Turkish version of Eating Assessment Tool (T-EAT-10) were included in the study, and all participants were divided into three groups randomly. Maximal suprahyoid muscle activations and dysphagia limit of participants were assessed by superficial electromyography. CTAR and chin tuck exercise with theraband increased the maximum suprahyoid muscle activation (p1 = 0.004, p2 = 0.018), whereas Shaker exercise did not increase maximal suprahyoid muscle activation (p = 0.507) after exercise training. CTAR and chin tuck exercise with theraband increased tongue pressure (p1 = 0.045, p2 = 0.041), while Shaker exercise did not increase anterior tongue pressure (p = 0.248). There was no statistically significant difference in dysphagia limits in three groups between before and after exercise training (p > 0.05). As a result, although CTAR seems to be the most effective exercise in most parameters, chin tuck exercise with theraband can also be used as an alternative to CTAR to improve suprahyoid muscle activity and tongue pressure.

How a personalised transportable folding device for seating impacts dysphagia.

PURPOSE: A personalised transportable folding device for seating (DATP) on a standard seat was developed by an occupational therapist at the Toulouse University Hospital Centre (patent no. WO 2011121249 A1) based on the hypothesis that the use of a seat to assist with better positioning on any chair during meals modifies the sitting posture and has an impact on cervical statics which increases the amplitude of movements of the axial skeleton (larynx and hyoid bone) and benefits swallowing. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that an improvement in sitting posture with the help of the DATP, through Hyoid bone motion, has an impact on the quality of swallowing in a dysphagic population which benefits from the device in comparison to a dysphagic population which does not benefit from the device after 1 month of care. The secondary endpoints concern the evaluation of the impact on other characteristics of swallowing, posture, the acceptability of the device and the quality of life. METHODOLOGY: This is a randomised comparative clinical trial. The blind was not possible for the patients but the examiner who evaluated the outcome criterion was blinded to the group to which the patient belonged. The outcome criterion was the measurement of the hyoid bone movement during swallowing. The other criteria were collected during the videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing and by use of a questionnaire. Fifty-six (56) patients were included: 30 in the group without device (D-) and 26 in the group with the device (D+). All the patients benefited from a training course on seating. Only the D+ patients participated in this course where the use of the device was explained and the device was then kept for use at home for 1 month. RESULTS: A significant improvement was noted in the postural criteria before and after use, in favour of a better posture for the two groups (p < 0.001) and more hyoid bone motion in the D+ group. The difference was significant in the bivariate analysis for horizontal movement (p = 0.04). After adjustment of potential factors of confusion, we noted a significant mean difference for the three distances in the D+ group in comparison to the D- group, of + 0.33 (95% CI [+ 0.17; + 0.48]) for horizontal movement, + 0.22 (95% CI [+ 0.03; + 0.40]) for vertical movement and + 0.37 (95% CI = [+ 0.20; + 0.53]) for horizontal movement. However, the other parameters, and notably the other swallowing markers were not significantly modified by the use of the device. CONCLUSION: The personalised transportable folding device for seating developed to reduce dysphagia has an action on hyoid bone motion during swallowing. However, this positive effect on an intermediate outcome criterion of the quality of swallowing was not associated with an improvement in swallowing efficiency in the study population. The diversity of diseases with which the patients in this study were afflicted is a factor to be controlled in future studies with this device.

Angulação do osso hioide e segurança da deglutição pós-laringectomia parcial horizontal supracricóidea e cricohioidoepiglotopexia / Hyoid bone angle and swallowing safety post supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy

RESUMO Objetivo investigar o possível impacto da angulação do osso hioide na segurança da deglutição de pacientes submetidos à laringectomia supracricóidea. Métodos série de casos de 13 adultos, entre 48 e 79 anos, majoritariamente homens (n=11), submetidos à laringectomia supracricóidea em pós-operatório inferior ou igual a dez meses. Realizaram videofluoroscopia da deglutição de 5 ml de líquido fino, 5 ml de alimento pastoso e sólido, em livre oferta. A medida do ângulo do osso hioide foi definida por duas linhas: uma tangente à margem superior do corpo do osso hioide e uma tangente ao ponto mais inferior de sua margem inferior, paralela ao plano horizontal da imagem. O desfecho de aspiração durante o exame seguiu a escala desenvolvida por Rosenbek et al. (1996). Resultados Dos 13 pacientes, 5 apresentaram aspiração silente e 8 não apresentaram aspiração. Dos 5 indivíduos com aspiração, apenas 1 manteve preservadas ambas as cartilagens aritenoides em sua reconstrução e a angulação do osso hioide foi abaixo de 60º, em todos os casos. Dos 8 indivíduos sem aspiração laringotraqueal, a maioria (n=5) apresentava as duas cartilagens aritenoides em sua reconstrução e a angulação do osso hioide foi acima de 60º, em todos os casos. Conclusão uma angulação maior que 60º do osso hioide parece favorecer a proteção das vias aéreas inferiores e promover maior segurança do mecanismo de deglutição.

ABSTRACT Purpose to investigate the possible impact of hyoid bone angulation on swallowing safety in patients undergoing supracricoid laryngectomy. Methods the case series comprised 13 adults, between 48 and 79 years-old, male in its majority (n=11), within ten months or less post-supracricoid laryngectomy and cricohyoidoepiglottopexy. All volunteers were submitted to videofluroscopy at rest and during swallowing of 5 ml of thin fluid, 5 ml of pureed consistency and dry solid food. Images were captured in lateral view. The hyoid angle was taken at rest and defined by two lines: a tangent to the upper margin of the body of the hyoid bone and a horizontal line, tangent to the lowest point of its lower margin. The aspiration was assessed using the scale developed by Rosenbek et al. (1996). Results five cases had silent aspiration and eight had no aspiration. In the group with silent aspiration, only one individual had both arytenoid cartilages preserved, while all individuals had the hyoid bone angle below 60º. In the group without aspiration, five individuals had both cricoarytenoids preserved, while all cases had the average hyoid bone angle above 60º. Conclusion the hyoid bone being at an angle greater than 60º seemed to increase the protection of the lower airways, promoting a safer swallowing mechanism.

Application of Automatic Kinematic Analysis Program for the Evaluation of Dysphagia in ALS patients.

Dysphagia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) increases the risk of malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. Kinematic analysis of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) can provide detailed movement of the hyoid bone, revealing abnormalities of swallowing in ALS patients. We developed an automated kinematic analysis program (AKAP) that analyzes the trajectory of the hyoid bone via a visual tracking method. The aim of this study was to investigate the hyoid movement in ALS patients using AKAP and compare it with non-dysphagic subjects. Thirty ALS patients who underwent VFSS in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2015 and 2017 were recruited. For comparison, 30 age-matched control subjects were also enrolled; the same swallowing study was conducted using thin fluid and yogurt. The hyoid bone movement was analyzed by evaluating the vertical and horizontal distances with four peak points (A, B, C, D), and the time of each point were also calculated. With respect to distance parameters, only vertical peak distance (distance between B, D points) during thin fluid swallowing was significantly decreased in ALS patients. (p = 0.038) With respect to temporal parameters, Time ABC, Time ABCD, and Duration C were significantly increased in ALS patients when swallowing both thin fluid and yogurt. (Time ABC p = 0.019, p = 0.002; Time ABCD p = 0.001, p = 0.004; Duration C p = 0.004, p = 0.025 respectively). This result revealed that dysphagia in ALS patient is caused by decreased velocity of hyoid bone movement due to the development of weakness in swallowing-related muscles. The parameters of kinematic analysis could be used to quantitatively evaluate dysphagia in motor neuron disease.

The Association of High Resolution Cervical Auscultation Signal Features With Hyoid Bone Displacement During Swallowing.

Recent publications have suggested that high-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA) signals may provide an alternative non-invasive option for swallowing assessment. However, the relationship between hyoid bone displacement, a key component to safe swallowing, and HRCA signals is not thoroughly understood. Therefore, in this work we investigated the hypothesis that a strong relationship exists between hyoid displacement and HRCA signals. Videofuoroscopy data was collected for 129 swallows, simultaneously with vibratory/acoustic signals. Horizontal, vertical and hypotenuse displacements of the hyoid bone were measured through manual expert analysis of videofluoroscopy images. Our results showed that the vertical displacement of both the anterior and posterior landmarks of the hyoid bone was strongly associated with the Lempel-Ziv complexity of superior-inferior and anterior-posterior vibrations from HRCA signals. Horizontal and hypotenuse displacements of the posterior aspect of the hyoid bone were strongly associated with the standard deviation of swallowing sounds. Medial-Lateral vibrations and patient characteristics such as age, sex, and history of stroke were not significantly associated with the hyoid bone displacement. The results imply that some vibratory/acoustic features extracted from HRCA recordings can provide information about the magnitude and direction of hyoid bone displacement. These results provide additional support for using HRCA as a non-invasive tool to assess physiological aspects of swallowing such as the hyoid bone displacement.

Taste Manipulation and Swallowing Mechanics in Trauma-Related Sensory-Based Dysphagia.

Purpose This study explored the effects of high-concentration taste manipulation trials on swallow function in persons with sensory-based dysphagia. Method Dysphagia researchers partnered with clinical providers to prospectively identify traumatically injured U.S. military service members (N = 18) with sensory-based dysphagia as evidenced by delayed initiation and/or decreased awareness of residue/penetration/aspiration. Under videofluoroscopy, participants swallowed trials of 3 custom-mixed taste stimuli: unflavored (40% weight/volume [wt/vol] barium sulfate in distilled water), sour (2.7% wt/vol citric acid in 40% wt/vol barium suspension), and sweet-sour (1.11% wt/vol citric acid plus 8% wt/vol sucrose in 40% wt/vol barium suspension). Trials were analyzed and compared via clinical rating tools (the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile [Martin-Harris et al., 2008] and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale [Rosenbek, Robbins, Roecker, Coyle, & Wood, 1996]). Additionally, a computational analysis of swallowing mechanics (CASM) was applied to a subset of 9 swallows representing all 3 tastants from 3 participants. Results Friedman's tests for the 3 stimuli revealed significantly (p < .05) improved functional ratings for Penetration-Aspiration Scale and pharyngoesophageal opening. CASM indicated differences in pharyngeal swallowing mechanics across all tastant comparisons (p ≤ .0001). Eigenvectors revealed increased tongue base retraction, hyoid elevation, and pharyngeal shortening for sweet-sour and, to a lesser extent, sour than for unflavored boluses. Conclusion Advantageous changes in certain parameters of oropharyngeal swallowing physiology were noted with high-intensity tastants per both clinical ratings and subsequent CASM, suggesting potential therapeutic application for taste manipulation.

Comparison of Pharyngeal Airway between Mandibular Setback Surgery Patients (Skeletal Class III) and Nonsurgery Patients (Skeletal Classes I and II).

PURPOSE: We investigated the pharyngeal airway dimensions and their correlations in patients who underwent mandibular setback surgery versus those who did not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty cephalometric radiographs (120 patients) were obtained from patients with three skeletal malocclusion classifications: Class I and Class II in the nonsurgery group and Class III in the surgery group (preoperative and postoperative cephalograms). The following dimensions were measured: nasopharyngeal airway (NOP), uvulopharyngeal airway (UOP), shortest distance from the posterior tongue to the pharyngeal wall (TOP), and distance from the epiglottis to the pharyngeal wall (EOP). Paired t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Preoperatively, UOP and TOP of skeletal Class III patients (15.2 mm and 16.6 mm) were significantly larger than those of skeletal Class II (11.5 mm and 12 mm) and Class II (12.3 mm and 12.9 mm) patients, respectively. No differences were observed in EOP between the three skeletal patterns. The hyoid bone of Class III patients was significantly anterior to that of Class I/II patients. Furthermore, UOP had a moderate negative correlation with soft palate length. Postoperatively, no significant difference (UOP, TOP, EOP, soft palate width, and hyoid bone) was found between the skeletal classes. CONCLUSION: Preoperatively, UOP and TOP of skeletal Class III patients were significantly wider than those of skeletal Class I/II patients. Pre- and postoperatively, EOP did not exhibit significant differences among the three skeletal classifications. No differences were found in all postoperative pharyngeal airway dimensions between Class III patients and nonsurgery patients (Class I and Class II).

Temporal characteristics of laryngeal penetration and aspiration in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of understanding penetration-aspiration (PA) in patients with stroke, the pathophysiology of PA remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the temporal characteristics of PA in post-stroke patients in terms of the timing of the PA event and hyolaryngeal incoordination. METHODS: Fifty-eight swallows (38 stroke patients), showing PA when swallowing a thin liquid, were included. The timing of PA was classified kinematically as before or during the swallow. The movement sequence of vertical laryngeal elevation, horizontal hyoid excursion, and epiglottic rotation were compared with healthy controls. Spatiotemporal measurements, videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale parameters were compared between subgroups. RESULTS: Thirteen swallows (22.4%) were classified as PA before the swallow and 45 were classified as PA during the swallow (77.6%). Among the PA during the swallow, 26 (57.8%) swallows exhibited abnormal sequences of hyolaryngeal movements and 19 (42.2%) swallows showed normal sequences of hyolaryngeal movements compared with healthy controls. The onset time of horizontal hyoid excursion (P = 0.028), the time to maximal horizontal hyoid excursion (P = 0.010), and maximal epiglottic rotation (P = 0.030) were significantly more delayed in the PA during the swallow group than in the PA before the swallow group. In the swallows with abnormal sequential movements, the onset of horizontal hyoid excursion occurred significantly later than the onset of epiglottic rotation (P < 0.001). Pyriform sinus residue was observed significantly more often in the swallows with abnormal sequences (P = 0.030) than in the swallows with normal sequences. CONCLUSIONS: The timing of PA can be classified as before and during the swallow with significantly different temporal characteristics. The horizontal movement of hyoid is the most important factor associated with the pathophysiology of PA in stroke patients.

The importance of the quantification of hyoid displacement in the evaluation of the score and evolution of oropharyngeal dysphagia. / Importancia de la cuantificación del desplazamiento hioideo en la valoración del estadio y evolución de la disfagia orofaríngea.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper was to show our experience and considerations when quantifying hyoid bone displacement and to observe its correlation with the qualitative scales that evaluate dysphagia. METHODS: Hyoid displacement was assessed using the method described by Molfenter and Steele's group in 2014 in a series of 14 patients affected by oropharyngeal dysphagia. The degree of dysphagia was also qualitatively assessed with the Rosenbek Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) of 1996 and with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) of Crary of 2005. All assessments were done before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients increased their hyoid bone total displacement after the treatment. These variations were highly correlated with the variations in the PAS scale with aspiration or penetration. However, the variations of hyoid bone displacement did not correlate with the FOIS scale. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in total hyoid bone displacement is a clinical indicator of improved aspiration of patients suffering dysphagia. However, the improvement of this displacement is not related to the oral intake tolerance of the patients.

Airway Closure Delay: The Predominant Pathophysiology in Reflux-Associated Dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE: Reflux disease is common in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, but the impact of reflux on oropharyngeal swallowing physiology is not known. This study uses objective measures of swallowing function from modified barium swallow studies to describe the pathophysiology of dysphagia in a group of patients whose only associated condition is reflux. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care voice and swallowing clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Swallowing Database at the University of Utah was queried for patients with a diagnosis of reflux without additional conditions known to affect swallowing function. Pharyngeal transit time (TPT), distance of hyoid elevation (Hmax), maximum opening size of the upper esophageal sphincter (UESmax), area of pharynx at maximum constriction (PAmax), airway closure timing relative to the arrival of the bolus at the UES, and penetration/aspiration (Pen/Asp) score were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 122 patients who met inclusion criteria for the study, 42% had normal pharyngeal swallowing function, 57% had at least 1 abnormal swallowing measure, and 47.5% demonstrated a delay in airway closure relative to arrival of the bolus at the UES on at least 1 swallow. The incidence of prolonged TPT, diminished Hmax, poor UESmax, and enlarged PAmax were 2.5%, 8%, 4%, and 11.5%, respectively. Sixty percent with a delay in airway closure had a normal Pen/Asp score. CONCLUSION: A delay in airway closure relative to the arrival of the bolus at the UES is the most common abnormality of swallowing function found in patients with reflux-associated dysphagia but may not be identified using the Pen/Asp score.