Timeline to dysphagia resolution after endoscopic intervention of an interarytenoid defect based on Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Study dysphagia severity

Efficacy and Complications of Interarytenoid Injection for Dysphagia in Infants 1-Year-Old and Under

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and complication rates of interarytenoid injection augmentation (IAIA) for the treatment of dysphagia in patients 1 year of age and under and to determine if concurrent feeding therapy (FT) affects outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Tertiary pediatric hospital.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients 13 months of age and younger with dysphagia treated by IAIA over a 4-year period. The efficacy of IAIA was determined by comparing perioperative videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) and Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) scores. Complication rates and utilization of concomitant FT were determined by evaluating postoperative admission and follow-up records.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients met inclusion criteria (median age 8 months, interquartile range [IQR]: 7-11). Sixty-seven percent of patients improved on postoperative VFSS scores (median improvement in aspiration of 2 thickness levels, IQR 0-3, P < .0001), and 56% improved in DOSS scores (median increase of 1, IQR: 0-1.5, P < .0001). Ninety-two percent of patients were discharged home on the day of surgery. The 30-day relevant readmission rate was 5%. No patients had intraoperative complications or severe complications at follow-up. No statistical difference in aspiration or DOSS was noted in the concomitant FT cohort due to a lack of sample size.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that IAIA in children under 13 months old shows comparable rates of success and complications to older patients reported in the literature. No patients had long-term complications and most were discharged home on the day of surgery. More studies are needed to determine the effect of concomitant FT on IAIA.

Socioeconomic and Ethnic Disparities in Timing and Outcome of Interarytenoid Injection Augmentation

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between social determinants of health and timeliness of management, adherence to follow-up, and outcomes of treatment with interarytenoid injection augmentation (IAIA).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of all pediatric patients treated with IAIA at a large pediatric institution's multidisciplinary aerodigestive clinic between August 2022 and February 2024. Retrieved demographic factors, dates of referral, consultation, treatment, and follow-up, as well as objective measures of dysphagia and aspiration via videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) reports, using dysphagia outcome and severity scale (DOSS) scores and the greatest unsafe thickness, or 'aspiration score'. These factors were analyzed for correlation with social determinants of health determined through the Area of Deprivation Index (ADI).

RESULTS

A total of 120 patients, median age 15 months were included. All underwent IAIA for the indication of persistent pharyngeal dysphagia. The median national ADI score was 45. Patients experienced average improvement in laryngeal penetration and aspiration from an aspiration score of slightly thick preoperatively to thin postoperatively, and improvement in dysphagia from mild-moderate to mild. No correlation was identified between ADI, race and ethnicity, or sex and measures of timeliness of treatment, loss to follow-up, receipt of feeding therapy, or outcome of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Addressing persistent dysphagia in pediatric patients with IAIA seems to be equivalently efficacious across a wide population, and outcome did not vary significantly depending on patients' race or socioeconomic contexts. This finding may be due in part to the utilization of a well-organized multidisciplinary center to treat these complex patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Flexible bronchoscopy findings and management impact in children with oropharyngeal dysphagia

INTRODUCTION

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are frequently performed in children with known or suspected aspiration, however, the additive value of FB in conjunction with direct laryngoscopy and rigid bronchoscopy (DLB) has not been previously quantified. This study details the common endoscopic/cytological findings and associated management impact of FB and BAL in pediatric Aerodigestive patients undergoing combined airway evaluation (FB and DLB) for oropharyngeal dysphagia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed in children <3 years of age followed through a large Aerodigestive center undergoing outpatient, combined airway endoscopy for dysphagia. Patient and procedural characteristics, endoscopic and BAL findings, and management metrics were collected and analyzed. A secondary analysis evaluated the association between endoscopic findings and medication changes.

RESULTS

Ninety-one procedures (median patient age, 15 months) were identified. All procedures included both FB and DLB, and just over half (52.7%) included esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Common endoscopic findings included bronchitis (73.6%), adenoidal hypertrophy (31.9%), and tracheomalacia (10.8%). BAL cytology frequently identified neutrophilic inflammation (mean 39.6% neutrophils [interquartile range 6.5%-71%)]. Cultured pathogens commonly included Streptococcus viridans (46.6%), Hemophilus influenzae (36.3%), Moraxella catarrhalis (30.1%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (25.0%). FB and BAL results contributed to clinical decisions in 65 of 91 (71.4%) patients. Endoscopically-diagnosed bronchitis (odds ratio [OR] 7.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-21.99) and tracheomalacia (OR 5.79, 95% CI 1.20-27.85) were significantly associated with increased odds of medication adjustments following FB.

CONCLUSION

In pediatric Aerodigestive patients undergoing combined airway evaluation for oropharyngeal dysphagia, FB and BAL are high-yield and clinically impactful procedures.