Epiglottic Retroflexion is a Key Indicator of Functional Recovery of Post-stroke Dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the longitudinal changes of swallowing kinematics based on videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs) in subacute stroke patients grouped according to the method of dietary intake. METHODS: Sixty-nine subacute stroke patients who had taken at least 2 successive VFSSs were included. Subjects were allocated into 3 groups according to the degree of swallowing function recovery-not improved group (tube feeding recommended to patients at both studies), improved group (tube feedings recommended initially to patients and oral feeding recommended at follow-up study), and well-maintained group (oral feeding at both studies recommended to patients). Initial VFSS was performed during the subacute stage of stroke, 1 to 12 weeks after the onset of stroke, and follow-up VFSS was performed at least once. Kinematic variables were calculated by two-dimensional motion analysis of multiple structures, including the hyoid bone, epiglottis, and vocal cord. Changes of kinematic variables were analyzed in serial VFSSs. RESULTS: At the initial VFSS, the well-maintained group showed significantly larger angles of epiglottic folding than the not improved group, while at the follow-up VFSS, the improved and the well-maintained groups showed significantly larger epiglottic folding angles than the not improved group. The distribution of epiglottic folding angles was in a dichotomous pattern, and each cluster was related to the swallowing function. CONCLUSION: This study showed that improved epiglottic folding angles are associated with the recovery of the swallowing process and suitability for oral feeding among various kinematic variables in subacute stroke patients.