Risk factors for aspiration pneumonia in patients with dysphagia undergoing videofluoroscopic swallowing studies: A retrospective cohort study

Prediction of aspiration pneumonia development in at-risk patients is vital for implementation of appropriate interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, studies utilizing a comprehensive approach to risk assessment are still lacking. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical features and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) findings that predict aspiration pneumonia in patients with suspected dysphagia.Medical records of 916 patients who underwent VFSS between September 2014 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into either a pneumonia group or a non-pneumonia group based on diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. Clinical information and VFSS findings were evaluated.One hundred seven patients (11.7%) were classified as having pneumonia. Multivariate analysis indicated that aspiration during the 2- cubic centimeter thick-liquid trial of VFSS (odds ratio [OR] = 3.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.93-5.41), smoking history (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.53-4.53), underweight status (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.31-3.94), abnormal pharyngeal delay time (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01-2.53), and a Penetration-Aspiration Scale level of 8 (OR = 3.73, 95% CI: 2.11-6.59) were significantly associated with aspiration pneumonia development. Integrated together, these factors were used to develop a predictive model for development of aspiration pneumonia (DAP), with a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 56%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.73.The best predictors for DAP included videofluoroscopic findings of aspiration during a 2-cubic centimeter thick-liquid trial, prolonged pharyngeal delay time, a Penetration-Aspiration Scale level of 8, history of smoking, and underweight status. These 5 proposed determinants and the associated DAP score are relatively simple to assess and may constitute a clinical screening tool that can readily identify and improve the management of patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia.

Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Analysis of Swallowing Physiology and Function in Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose Dysphagia is a serious extra pulmonary manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the nature of abnormalities in swallowing physiology in COPD has yet to be clearly established. We explored the frequency of swallowing measures outside the healthy reference range in adults with COPD. Method Participants were 28 adults aged 41-79 years (18 men, 20 women) with stable COPD. Disease severity was classified as GOLD (Global Initiative For Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) Stages 1 (4%), 2 (25%), 3 (53%), and 4 (18%). Participants underwent a videofluoroscopy and swallowed 20% w/v thin barium in, followed by 20% w/v mildly, moderately, and extremely thick barium prepared with a xanthan gum thickener. Blinded duplicate ratings of swallowing safety, efficiency, kinematics, and timing were performed according to the ASPEKT method (Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics and Timing). Comparison data for healthy adults aged < 60 years were extracted from an existing data set. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests compared the frequencies of measures falling < 1 SD/ > 1 SD from mean reference values (or < the first or > the third quartile for skewed parameters). Results Participants with COPD did not display greater frequencies of penetration-aspiration, but they were significantly more likely (p < .05) to display incomplete laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC), longer time-to-LVC, and shorter LVC duration. They also displayed significantly higher frequencies of short upper esophageal sphincter opening, reduced pharyngeal constriction, and pharyngeal residue. Conclusion This analysis reveals differences in swallowing physiology in patients with stable COPD characterized by impaired safety related to the mechanism, timing, and duration of LVC and by impaired swallowing efficiency with increased pharyngeal residue related to poor pharyngeal constriction.

Relationship between tongue muscle quality and swallowing speed in community-dwelling older women

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tongue muscle quality index, which was represented as tongue muscle pressure divided by tongue muscle mass, and swallowing speed in community-dwelling older women.

METHODS

The inclusion criteria for this cross-sectional study were that participants be community-dwelling older women aged 65 years and above without dysphagia. The exclusion criteria were stroke and Parkinson's disease that directly cause dysphagia. We measured tongue muscle thickness and maximum tongue pressure and the tongue muscle quality index, which was defined as the maximum tongue pressure divided by tongue muscle thickness. We investigated swallowing speed via a 100 ml water swallowing test. To assess the relationship between tongue muscle characteristics and swallowing speed, we performed stepwise multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-three participants were enrolled in this study (mean age: 84.2 ± 4.7 years). A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that age (β = - 0.292, p < 0.01) and tongue muscle quality index (β = 0.267, p < 0.01) were related to swallowing speed.

CONCLUSION

We found that tongue muscle quality index was related to swallowing speed in community-dwelling older women. According to our findings, it is possible that the tongue muscle quality index is a useful parameter for assessing swallowing speed in older women without dysphagia.

Cricopharyngeal bar on videofluoroscopy: high specificity for inclusion body myositis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of the cricopharyngeal bar (CPB), defined as marked protrusion with lacking relaxation and stricture of the upper esophageal sphincter on videofluoroscopy, in patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM).

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study of comprehensive series of adult healthy individuals and consecutive patients with neuropsychiatric disorders aged over 45 (52 versus 2486). A standard videofluoroscopy was performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 47 individuals with CPB were identified. Of the individuals with CPB, 36% were IBM followed by neurodegenerative disorders, muscular disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and others (32%, 21%, 2.1%, and 8.5%, respectively), indicating the heterogeneity of the etiologies. Against muscular disorders, the sensitivity and specificity of the CPB for IBM were 33% (= 17/52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 20-45%) and 96% (= 264/274; 95% CI, 94-99%), respectively. IBM with CPB showed a higher frequency of obstruction-related dysphagia (88% versus 22%, p < 0.001) and severe CPB (76% versus 23%, p < 0.001) than the control with one. The ratio of the upper esophageal distance at the maximum distension at the level of C6 to that of C4 was lower in IBM with CPB than in the controls with one (0.50 versus 0.77, p < 0.001), which suggests the insufficient opening of the upper esophageal sphincter.

CONCLUSION

A CPB could be indicative of IBM. The upper esophagus in IBM with CPB became narrow, like a bottleneck. We provide new perspectives of dysphagia diagnosis by videofluoroscopy, especially for IBM-associated dysphagia, to expand the knowledge on the CPB.

The impact of dysphagia on quality of life in stroke patients

The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of life in stroke patients using a swallowing quality of life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire. The correlation between SWAL-QOL questionnaire outcome and videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) scores in stroke patients was also determined.This cross-sectional study was retrospectively conducted with 75 stroke patients with dysphagia symptoms. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and SWAL-QOL questionnaires were performed for all patients. These patients were divided into an oral feeding group and a tube feeding group. SWAL-QOL scores were compared between the 2 groups. The severity of dysphagia was estimated by VDS scores according to the videofluoroscopic swallowing study results. The relationships between SWAL-QOL scores and VDS scores were also investigated.The composite score was 48.82 ± 19.51 for the tube feeding group and 53.17 ± 25.42 for the oral feeding group. There were significant differences in burden and sleep subdomains of the SWAL-QOL between the 2 groups (P = .005 and P = .012, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between the composite score of SWAL-QOL outcome and the total VDS score (r = -0.468, P = .012). The pharyngeal-phase score of the VDS had significant negative correlations with the SWAL-QOL subdomains of burden (r = -0.327, P = .013), mental health (r = -0.348, P = .008), and social functioning (r = -0.365, P = .029).To improve the quality of life of stroke patients, dysphagia rehabilitation should focus on the pharyngeal phase of dysphagia.

Pharyngeal perforation following laryngoscopy in a patient with dysphagia secondary to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: A case report

RATIONALE

Dysphagia is a common presenting symptom in elderly people. Nevertheless, dysphagia resulting from diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) of patients' cervical spine may be due to several factors. Despite computed tomography scan showing the size and shape of osteophytes, endoscopy may be necessary to exclude other intrinsic causes of dysphagia. Due to the anatomic variation of the pharynx secondary to DISH, patients undergoing endoscopy are at risk of perforation. Once perforation occurs, inappropriate treatments may finally lead to an irretrievable outcome.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 58-year-old male patient with a 20-day history of dysphagia initially visited an ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor. He had no neck pain and no other history of cervical disease.

DIAGNOSIS

This patient with dysphagia due to DISH of the cervical spine underwent laryngoscopy to exclude other causes. Pharyngeal perforation resulted as a complication of the procedure.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent laryngoscopy and biopsy by an ENT doctor to exclude intrinsic causes. After the procedure, a perforation was formed on the posterior wall of the pharynx. Conservative management, that is, 1 week of nothing per oral, and 1 month of antibiotics, was adopted. On the 30th day after the examination, the patient was voluntarily discharged from the hospital and recommended to take antibiotics orally.

OUTCOMES

On the 56th day, the patient experienced fever and neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the cervical vertebral bodies and spinal cord were infected. On the midday of the 60th day, the patient had a failed resuscitation and died.

LESSONS

DISH involving the cervical spine is a complicated cause of dysphagia. Due to the anatomic variation of the pharynx secondary to DISH, patients undergoing endoscopy are at risk of perforation. If other intrinsic causes of dysphagia have to be excluded with the aid of endoscopy, plain films and computed tomography images should be read carefully first. To minimize the risk of perforation, it is necessary to perform endoscopy extremely carefully, especially biopsy. Once perforation occurs, operative treatment may be more appropriate and effective.

Best Practices in Modified Barium Swallow Studies

Purpose The modified barium swallow study (MBSS) is a widely used videofluoroscopic evaluation of the functional anatomy and physiology of swallowing that permits visualization of bolus flow throughout the upper aerodigestive tract in real time. The information gained from the examination is critical for identifying and distinguishing the type and severity of swallowing impairment, determining the safety of oral intake, testing the effect of evidence-based frontline interventions, and formulating oral intake recommendations and treatment planning. The goal of this review article is to provide the state of the science and best practices related to MBSS. Method State of the science and best practices for MBSS are reviewed from the perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and radiologists who clinically practice and conduct research in this area. Current quandaries and emerging clinical and research trends are also considered. Results This document provides an overview of the MBSS and standards for conducting, interpreting, and reporting the exam; the SLPs' and radiologist's perspectives on standardization of the exam; radiation exposure; technical parameters for recording and reviewing the exam; the importance of an interdisciplinary approach with engaged radiologists and SLPs; and special considerations for examinations in children. Conclusions The MBSS is the primary swallowing examination that permits visualization of bolus flow and swallowing movement throughout the upper aerodigestive tract in real time. The clinical validity of the study has been established when conducted using reproducible and validated protocols and metrics applied according to best practices to provide accurate and reliable information necessary to direct treatment planning and limit radiation exposure. Standards and quandaries discussed in this review article, as well as references, provide a basis for understanding the current best practices for MBSS.

Real-time evaluation of swallowing in patients with oral cancers by using cine-magnetic resonance imaging based on T2-weighted sequences

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a new cine-magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) technique might be useful for evaluating swallowing function in patients with different types of oral cancers by assessing 12 CMRI-related parameters.

STUDY DESIGN

In total, 111 patients with oral cancers were evaluated. We examined whether visualization of fluid flow and determination of flow direction to the trachea or the esophagus were possible with CMRI. We evaluated the correlations between CMRI-related parameters and self-reported dysphagia scores as the status of dysphagia, T classification groups as tumor staging for preoperative patients, alterations in CMRI-related parameters between pre- and postoperative patients, and the degree of invasiveness of oral cancer surgery.

RESULTS

We could judge the flow direction to the esophagus on CMRI in all 111 patients. Six CMRI-related parameters showed significant correlations with dysphagia status. Increases in CMRI-related parameters were significantly related to deterioration of swallowing status, as shown by a decrease in self-reported dysphagia scores, advances in the T classification, and degree of invasiveness of oral cancer surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study suggest that CMRI can be used to directly visualize swallowing dynamics and objectively evaluate the swallowing complaints of patients with oral cancer.

Automated Bolus Detection in Videofluoroscopic Images of Swallowing Using Mask-RCNN

Tracking a liquid or food bolus in videofluoroscopic images during X-ray based diagnostic swallowing examinations is a dominant clinical approach to assess human swallowing function during oral, pharyngeal and esophageal stages of swallowing. This tracking represents a highly challenging problem for clinicians as swallowing is a rapid action. Therefore, we developed a computer-aided method to automate bolus detection and tracking in order to alleviate issues associated with human factors. Specifically, we applied a stateof-the-art deep learning model called Mask-RCNN to detect and segment the bolus in videofluoroscopic image sequences. We trained the algorithm with 450 swallow videos and evaluated with an independent dataset of 50 videos. The algorithm was able to detect and segment the bolus with a mean average precision of 0.49 and an intersection of union of 0.71. The proposed method indicated robust detection results that can help to improve the speed and accuracy of a clinical decisionmaking process.

Esophageal compression by a mediastinal vascular structure as a result of a dysphagia lusoria

Dysphagia lusoria is an uncommon cause of mechanical dysphagia due to extrinsic compression. It is a congenital aortic root abnormality that occurs as a consequence of an aberrant right subclavian artery, in most cases. We report an illustrative case of dysphagia lusoria in a young female, secondary to the presence of the abnormal mediastinal vessel.

Measurement of Pharyngeal Residue From Lateral View Videofluoroscopic Images

Purpose The field lacks consensus about preferred metrics for capturing pharyngeal residue on videofluoroscopy. We explored four different methods, namely, the visuoperceptual Eisenhuber scale and three pixel-based methods: (a) residue area divided by vallecular or pyriform sinus spatial housing ("%-Full"), (b) the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale, and (c) residue area divided by a cervical spine scalar (%(C2-4)2). Method This study involved retrospective analysis of an existing data set of videofluoroscopies performed in 305 adults referred on the basis of suspected dysphagia, who swallowed 15 boluses each (six thin and three each of mildly, moderately, and extremely thick 20% w/v barium). The rest frame at the end of the initial swallow of each bolus was identified. Duplicate measures of pharyngeal residue were made independently by trained raters; interrater reliability was calculated prior to discrepancy resolution. Frequency distributions and descriptive statistics were calculated for all measures. Kendall's τb tests explored associations between Eisenhuber scale scores and pixel-based measures, that is, %-Full and %(C2-4)2. Cross-tabulations compared Eisenhuber scale scores to 25% increments of the %-Full measure. Spearman rank correlations evaluated relationships between the %-Full and %(C2-4)2 measures. Results Complete data were available for 3,545 boluses: 37% displayed pharyngeal residue (thin, 36%; mildly thick, 41%; moderately thick, 35%; extremely thick, 34%). Eisenhuber scale scores showed modest positive associations with pixel-based measures but inaccurately estimated residue severity when compared to %-Full measures with errors in 20.6% of vallecular ratings and 14.2% of pyriform sinus ratings. Strong correlations (p < .001) were seen between the %-Full and %(C2-4)2 measures, but the %-Full measures showed inflation when spatial housing area was small. Conclusions Generally good correspondence was seen across different methods of measuring pharyngeal residue. Pixel-based measurement using an anatomical reference scalar, for example, (C2-4)2 is recommended for valid, reliable, and precise measurement.

Airway protection & patterns of dysphagia in infants with down syndrome: Videofluoroscopic swallow study findings & correlations

INTRODUCTION

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects 1:737 births. Along with cardiac, otolaryngologic, and developmental anomalies, infants with Down syndrome can have swallowing difficulties resulting in respiratory infections. This study aims to characterize the airway protection and dysphagia seen in infants with Down syndrome.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of infants with Down syndrome who underwent videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) from 2008 to 2018 at a tertiary children's hospital. Demographic data and VFSS findings were collected.

RESULTS

89.8% (114/127) of infants presented with at least one element of oral dysphagia, while 72.4% (92/127) had at least one element of pharyngeal dysphagia. Sucking skills were classified as abnormal in 63.7% of the patients and bolus formation-control was determined to be deficient (abnormal) in 62.2% of the patients. Oral residuals were present in 37.8% of the patients. With regard to pharyngeal phase, the swallow initiation was considered abnormal in 53.5% of the patients. Pharyngeal residue was present in 17.3% and pharyngo-nasal reflux was present in 27.5% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Swallowing assessments in infants with Down syndrome suspected of dysphagia should be considered, especially in those with any alterations in pulmonary health.

Surgical Outcomes of Dysphagia Provoked by Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis in the Cervical Spine

PURPOSE

This study aimed to predict the surgical outcomes of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)-related dysphagia (DISH-phagia) and to evaluate the importance of prevertebral soft tissue thickness (PVST).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 21 surgeries (anterior osteophytectomy or anterior cervical decompression and fixation) were included in this study for DISH-phagia from 2003 to 2019. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) preoperatively, at 1 month postoperatively, and last follow up (mean 29.5 months). PVST was measured using lateral plain radiographs. Paired t-test and Spearman's correlation test was used to identify relationships between various PVST indices and DOSS.

RESULTS

Comparisons were made from 17 patients out of 21, in which the record had all of three measurements. The narrowest PVST preoperatively was 2.55±0.90 mm, with a DOSS score of 4.47±1.61, and that at 1 month after surgery was 5.02±2.33 mm, with a DOSS score of 6.12±1.32. At last follow up, PVST and DOSS values were 3.78±0.92 mm and 5.82±1.34, and three patients experienced symptom relapse. Significant relationships were found between PVST and DOSS at all time points: before surgery (R=0.702, p<0.001), 1 month after surgery (R=0.539, p=0.012), and last follow up (R=0.566, p=0.020).

CONCLUSION

Surgical removal of anterior osteophytes is an effective treatment option for DISH-phagia, and PVST is a useful parameter in DISH-phagia. The goal of DISH surgery should be to remove DISH as much as possible to ensure sufficient PVST postoperatively.

Automatic registration of 2D MR cine images for swallowing motion estimation

PURPOSE

To automate the estimation of swallowing motion from 2D MR cine images using deformable registration for future applications of personalized margin reduction in head and neck radiotherapy and outcome assessment of radiation-associated dysphagia.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with serial 2D FSPGR-MR cine scans of the head and neck conducted through the course of definitive radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer. Included patients had at least one cine scan before, during, or after radiotherapy, with a total of 52 cine scans. Contours of 7 swallowing related regions-of-interest (ROIs), including pharyngeal constrictor, epiglottis, base of tongue, geniohyoid, hyoid, soft palate, and larynx, were manually delineated from consecutive frames of the cine scan covering at least one swallowing cycle. We applied a modified thin-plate-spline robust-point-matching algorithm to register the point sets of each ROI automatically over frames. The deformation vector fields from the registration were then used to estimate the motion during swallowing for each ROI. Registration errors were estimated by comparing the deformed contours with the manual contours.

RESULTS

On average 22 frames of each cine scan were contoured. The registration for one cine scan (7 ROIs over 22 frames) on average took roughly 22 minutes. A number of 8018 registrations were successfully batch processed without human interaction after the contours were drawn. The average registration error for all ROIs and all patients was 0.36 mm (range: 0.06 mm- 2.06 mm). Larynx had the average largest motion in superior direction of all structures under consideration (range: 0.0 mm- 58.7 mm). Geniohyoid had the smallest overall motion of all ROIs under consideration and the superior-inferior motion was larger than the anterior-posterior motion for all ROIs.

CONCLUSION

We developed and validated a deformable registration framework to automate the estimation of swallowing motion from 2D MR cine scans.

Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Videofluoroscopic Measures of Swallowing: A Systematic Review

Purpose Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) is increasingly utilized in dysphagia rehabilitation; however, little is known about the effects of this approach on swallowing function or physiology. We conducted a systematic review to appraise and synthesize evidence regarding the effects of EMST on videofluoroscopic measures of swallowing in individuals with medical diagnoses, in which dysphagia is a concern. Method A literature search was conducted according to Cochrane guidelines. Of 292 nonduplicate articles, 11 were judged to be relevant for review. These underwent detailed review for study quality, risk of bias evaluation, and synthesis of swallowing outcomes. Results The selected articles described EMST in a variety of patient populations using either the EMST150 or the Phillips Threshold positive expiratory pressure device. The typical protocol involved five sets of five breaths through the device (25 breaths/day), 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Exercise loads were set between 50% and 75% depending on the population, and treatment was typically supervised by a clinician weekly. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale was the most commonly reported videofluoroscopic outcome measure. Conclusions differed as to whether or not swallowing improved following a course of EMST. Differences in videofluoroscopy protocols, methods of summarizing participant performance, and statistical approaches across studies meant that meta-analysis of swallowing outcomes could not be completed. Conclusion This review failed to find clear evidence regarding the effects of EMST on videofluoroscopic measures of swallowing. Heterogeneity in the etiologies and baseline severity of dysphagia across studies and in the methods used to measure swallowing outcomes was a particular barrier to data synthesis.

[Application of fibreoptic endoscope evaluating of oropharyngeal swallowing in post-irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fibreoptic endoscopic of sallowing （FEES） in the assessment of pharyngeal dysphagia in post-irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Method:Fifty-three NPC patients with post-irradiated underwent FEES and video fluoroscopy（VF）.The results were analyzed using the Bolus Residue Scale and Rosenbek's penetration aspiration scale. Result:The agreement in the detection of penetration and aspiration between FEES and VF of liquid（κ=0.56, 95%CI 0.38-0.73） and porridge（κ=0.64, 95%CI 0.43-0.81） was "fair". The detection rates of penetration on FEES with liquid and porridge were 60% and 51%, the detection rates of aspiration on VF with liquid and porridge were 70% and 53%. There were no statistical differences. The agreement in the detection of pharyngeal residue between FEES and VF of liquid （κ=0.38, 95%CI0.12-0.62） and porridge （κ=0.66, 95%CI 0.44-0.86） was "fair". The detection rates of pharyngeal residue on FEES and VF with porridge were 43% and 45%, the difference was not statistically significant. The detection rates of pharyngeal residue on FEES and VF with liquid were 44% and 24%, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:FEES is an effective and valuable tool for evaluating pharyngeal dysphagia in post-irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Vascular Rings With Tracheoesophageal Compression: Management Considerations

Our series of vascular ring patients treated at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has now exceeded 450 patients (see Central Picture). The recommendations from this review are based on our experience with those patients. Since 1990, we have used preoperative cross-sectional imaging in all vascular ring patients. This has led us to refine our operative strategies and carefully tailor the operation to the individual's unique anatomy. In particular for right aortic arch patients, we now address the Kommerell diverticulum in most cases and carefully consider Kommerell diverticulum resection with left subclavian artery transfer. In double aortic arch patients, we also look for a Kommerell diverticulum and resect the diverticulum if present. This will decrease the number of patients presenting for a reoperation after initial vascular ring surgery. Since 1947, we have operated on 217 patients with a right aortic arch. The median age is 1.5 years. Since 2006, 47 out of 111 patients have had Kommerell diverticulum resection and left subclavian artery transfer to the left carotid artery. Mean length of stay is 4.5 days. In the same time period, 187 patients have been treated for a double aortic arch. The median age is 1 year. Twelve of these patients also had resection of a Kommerell diverticulum. The mean length of stay in this group was 3 days. Advanced preoperative cross-sectional imaging leads to precise operative techniques tailored to the unique anatomy of each vascular ring patient.

Association between clinical risk factors and severity of dysphagia after extubation based on a videofluoroscopic swallowing study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between clinical risk factors of post-extubation dysphagia (PED) and the severity of impaired pharyngeal swallowing function assessed via videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs).

METHODS

This study was a retrospective review of medical records. Of 116 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and underwent VFSS, 32 who had non-neurologic disorders and experienced prolonged intubation (for more than 48 hours) were diagnosed with PED. The severity of PED was evaluated by using a functional dysphagia scale (FDS) and a penetration aspiration scale (PAS), on the basis of VFSS.

RESULTS

The Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and total FDS score were positively correlated (r = 0.40, p = 0.02). Intubation duration was positively correlated with total PAS and FDS scores (r = 0.62, p < 0.001; r = 0.65, p < 0.001, respectively). The amounts of residue in the valleculae (RV) and pyriform sinuses (RP) were associated with intubation duration (r = 0.58, p < 0.001; r = 0.57, p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that intubation duration was significantly associated with the total FDS score, RV and RP subscales of the FDS, and total PAS score.

CONCLUSION

The severity of impaired swallowing function, particularly the amount of residue in the pharyngeal recesses assessed via VFSS, was strongly associated with both severity of medical illness and intubation duration. Intubation duration could be a prognostic factor for assessing impaired swallowing function on the basis of VFSS.

Swallowing apraxia in a patient with recurrent ischemic strokes: A case report

RATIONALE

Swallowing apraxia is defined as dysfunction in oral phase caused by the deficit in the coordination of tongue, lip, and chin movements, without motor weakness, sensory loss, and cognitive decline and has not been reported yet.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 69-year-old male with personal medical history of ischemic stroke about 10 years ago newly developed right striatocapular infarction. He had a problem in the oral phase of swallowing after recurrent ischemic strokes.

DIAGNOSES

He was diagnosed as swallowing apraxia via bed side examination and videofluoroscopic swallowing study.

INTERVENTION

Videofluoroscopic swallowing study was done in this case.

OUTCOMES

Symptoms and findings of VFSS were not improved after 2 months treatment.

LESSONS

This case implies that a clinician should be alert to swallowing apraxia as a possible cause when a patient with recurrent strokes complains of oral phase dysfunction of swallowing and considers proper diagnostic option such as videofluoroscopic swallowing study.

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.

Thyroid cartilage loci and hyoid bone analysis using a video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS)

INTRODUCTION

Hyoid bone movement can be useful for diagnosing oropharyngeal dysphagia. In most clinical settings, the movement can be evaluated by a video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) that induces radiation exposure. In contrast with the hyoid bone, the thyroid cartilage is easily seen through the anterior neck surface. We hypothesized that the movement of thyroid cartilage correlates with hyoid bone movement in various axis and can be used as a parameter to evaluate swallowing. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone movement were correlated and to collect basic data to determine if thyroid cartilage can be used as a parameter to evaluate swallowing.

METHODS

A total of 25 subjects were included, and the VFSS image with normal swallowing function was collected retrospectively. The VFSS image was analyzed by specially developed semi-automatic software. Laryngeal prominence and anterior-superior margins of the hyoid were automatically extracted during swallowing. Two-point sets of the loci during swallowing were obtained in all VFSS frames. The X-coordinates showed an anterior-posterior axis, and the Y-coordinates showed a superior-inferior axis. Pearson correlation coefficients for each X- and Y-coordinate component were computed.

RESULTS

X- and Y-coordinates of the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bones in all subjects showed movement in similar patterns, although each subject's movement differed. Pearson correlation coefficients of X- and Y-coordinate components of all subjects ranged from 0.611 to 0.981, which indicated that thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone movement was strongly correlated in anterior-posterior and superior-inferior axes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We analyzed thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone movement using a specifically developed semi-automatic software and concluded that the movement of thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone was strongly correlated in anterior-posterior and superior-inferior axes, respectively, during swallowing. The present study implies that analysis of thyroid cartilage movement can be used as a parameter for swallowing evaluation.

Videofluorography swallow study in patients with systemic sclerosis: correlation with clinical and radiological features

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to assess the role of videofluorography (VFG) in the evaluation of swallowing and oesophageal peristalsis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

From June 2014 to September 2017, 55 consecutive SSc patients, defined according to the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria, underwent VFG study using a remote-controlled digital device. In order to evaluate possible abnormalities, 18 dynamic parameters were chosen, dividing the act of swallowing into three phases: oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal phases. The following dynamic radiological findings were considered: veil motility in phonation, leakage, drooling, salivation and presence of residues in the oral cavity, pharyngeal residues, penetration, aspiration, altered motility of the upper oesophageal sphincter, efficacy of primary peristaltic contractions, oesophageal clearance capacity, reflux, oesophagitis and motility of the lower oesophageal sphincter.

RESULTS

The VFG study was well tolerated in all patients. Dysfunctions of oesophageal motility were common and included abnormal motility of UES (12.7%) and LES (76.4%), inadequate primary peristalsis (52.7%), abnormal secondary peristalsis (29.1%) and non-peristaltic contractions (40%). A defective oesophageal clearance was observed in 69.4% of patients. Moreover, most patients presented signs of oesophageal reflux (63.6%), oesophagitis (81.8%) and hiatal hernia (80%). Pharyngeal abnormalities were less common and involved up to 50% of patients. Oesophageal dysfunction and defective clearance were associated with dcSSc and pulmonary involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The VFG study is a useful technique for the morphological and functional evaluation of swallowing in SSc patients.