The Balloon-Based Manometry Evaluation of Swallowing in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

The aim of the study was to analyse the disturbances of the oro-pharyngeal swallowing phase of dysphagia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with the use of specific manometric measurements and to evaluate their plausible association with the duration of the disease. Seventeen patients with ALS were evaluated with manometric examinations of the oral and pharyngeal part of the gastrointestinal tract. Tests were carried out by using the oesophageal balloon-based method with four balloon transducers located 5 cm away from each other. The following manometric parameters were analysed: the base of tongue contraction (BTC) and the upper oesophageal sphincter pressure (UESP), and the hypopharyngeal suction pump (HSP) as well as the oro-pharyngeal, pharyngeal and hypopharyngeal transit time and average pharyngeal bolus velocity (oropharyngeal transit time (OTT), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), hypopharyngeal transit time (HTT) and average pharyngeal bolus velocity (APBV), respectively). Manomatric examinations during swallowing in patients with ALS showed significant weakness of BTC, a decrease of HSP and a decrease of the velocity of bolus transit inside the pharynx which were particularly marked between the first and the third examination. Manometric examinations of the oro-pharyngeal part of the gastrointestinal tract are useful and supportive methods in the analysis of swallowing disturbances in ALS patients.

[Neurothekeoma of the orbit]. / Przypadek neurothekeoma oczodolu.

AIM: The aim of this study was to present a rare benign tumour of neural origin located in the orbit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Authors describe case of six-year-old boy with tumour of the right orbit, upper eyelid and right zygomatic fossa. Medical history revealed gradually increasing in size, painless tumour. Before admission to the hospital computed tomography was taken to assess the size, localization of the tumour and to plan the proper treatment. RESULTS: The patient was operated on using Krönlein approach. Tumour was removed in macroscopically radical limits without need to incise the muscles responsible for eye movement. Histopathological examination revealed: Neurothekeoma, classic type. During one year follow-up there was no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Neurothekeoma may occur in young boys in eyelid and orbit. A unique localization of neurothekeoma in the orbit, close to the lacrimal gland shows that this kind of histopatological tumours may infiltrate deeper tissues. Surgical treatment of neurothekeoma is the same as in other benign tumours.

[Quality of life in patients treated for cancer of paranasal sinus and other area at head and neck]. / Wplyw dysfagii na jakosc zycia chorych z nowotworami zatok przynosowych i w innych lokalizacjach glowy i szyi.

AIM: The oncology efficiency and quality of life are both important for patients with head and neck cancer in every-day life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluation of the dysphagia discomfort was made of 240 patients (190 male and 50 female). The primary location of the tumor was: paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. The treatment was surgical or sugical and radiotherapy. Patient's quality of life was evaluated according to the self-administered questionnaire (M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory MDADI). RESULTS: The comparison of the influence of dysphagia on the quality of life was made in two groups of patients. The first group consist of maxillectomy patients wearing obturator protheses, the second one were treated for cancer located in other mentioned area. Patients with primary tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx had significantly greater swallowing disability with an adverse impact on their quality of life compared with patients after maxillectomy. Method of treatment and stage of head and neck cancer greatly affected dysphagia-related quality of life. The longer the interval between completion of treatment and assessment by the MDADI, the higher the total score, thus reflecting a higher quality of life and funcional status as related to swallowing. CONCLUSION: The MDADI is the validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire designed specifically for evaluating the impact of dysphagia on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer.

[Analysis of oropharyngeal phase of swallowing in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. / Analiza fazy ustno-gardlowej polykania u chorych na stwardnienie boczne zanikowe.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a common symptom of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and leads to increased risk of aspiration, malnutrition and dehydration. Swallowing mechanism in ALS patients has not been systematically studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on the manometry analysis of upper investigate tract we have measured base of tongue contraction, resting pressure of the upper esophageal sphincter and average pharyngeal bolus velocity 10 ALS patients with slight dysphagia and have compared them to control group. RESULTS: All parameters measured were significantly changed in ALS patients indicting disturbances of oro-pharyngeal phase of swallowing even in ALS patients with slight dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of the swallowing disturbances is important for symptomatic therapy.