Tongue measurements and pharyngeal residue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ABSTRACT

Aim: We aimed to analyze the relationship between tongue measurements and vallecular residue in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Materials & methods: Twenty-one patients with ALS were assessed for posterior maximum tongue isometric pressure (PMTIP) and posterior tongue isometric endurance (PTIE) by the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument; vallecular residue after 10 ml of moderately thickened consistency by Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing; and tongue thickness (TT) by ultrasonography. Results: PMTIP, PTIE and TT were decreased compared with the reference values for healthy individuals and were not different between patients with and without vallecular residue. Conclusion: In ALS, PMTIP, PTIE and TT are not good predictors of vallecular residue in the tested volume and food consistency.

Lay abstract This study aimed to analyze the relationship of measurable characteristics of the tongue in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the accumulation of residue after swallowing in an area located just after the tongue. This accumulation of residue provides a sensation of bolus stuck in the throat and increases the risk of weight loss, choking and pulmonary complications. Twenty-one ALS patients were assessed for tongue pressure, tongue endurance, tongue thickness and residue after swallowing of the 10 ml of moderately thickened consistency. This study concluded that all tongue measurements were low in ALS patients with and without residue. Therefore, these tongue measurements are not good predictors of vallecular residue in the tested volume and food consistency.