Comparison of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study and Radionuclide Salivagram for Aspiration Pneumonia in Children With Swallowing Difficulty

Correlation Between Clinical Characteristics and Radionuclide Salivagram Findings in Infants With Congenital Laryngeal Developmental Anomalies

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correlation between clinical characteristics and radionuclide salivagram findings in infants with congenital laryngeal developmental anomalies, and determine the clinical characteristics that could predict the positive results of radionuclide salivagram.

METHODS

151 hospitalized infants with congenital laryngeal developmental anomalies were retrospectively included to assess the correlation between positive radionuclide salivagram results and clinical features, and a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify significant correlates that jointly predict positive radionuclide salivagram results.

RESULTS

Positive radionuclide salivagram results were significantly associated with fever, neurological diseases, congenital syndromes, and positive pathogenetic test results in univariate analysis. Positive radionuclide salivagram were significantly associated with fever (odds ratio [OR] = 3.494; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.414-8.630; P = 0.007), neurological diseases (OR = 3.296; 95% CI 1.335-8.138; P = 0.010), and congenital syndromes (OR = 5.069, 95% CI 1.696-15.154; P = 0.004) in a multivariable logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Fever, concurrent neurological diseases, and concurrent congenital syndromes were discovered as clinical factors that could predict positive radionuclide salivagram results and salivary aspiration should be highly suspected in infants with these clinical factors of congenital laryngeal developmental anomalies.

From Pixels to Pathology: Employing Computer Vision to Decode Chest Diseases in Medical Images

Radiology has been a pioneer in the healthcare industry's digital transformation, incorporating digital imaging systems like picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and teleradiology over the past thirty years. This shift has reshaped radiology services, positioning the field at a crucial junction for potential evolution into an integrated diagnostic service through artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies offer advanced tools for radiology's transformation. The radiology community has advanced computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) tools using machine learning techniques, notably deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs), for medical image pattern recognition. However, the integration of CAD tools into clinical practice has been hindered by challenges in workflow integration, unclear business models, and limited clinical benefits, despite development dating back to the 1990s. This comprehensive review focuses on detecting chest-related diseases through techniques like chest X-rays (CXRs), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and computed tomography (CT) scans. It examines the utilization of computer-aided programs by researchers for disease detection, addressing key areas: the role of computer-aided programs in disease detection advancement, recent developments in MRI, CXR, radioactive tracers, and CT scans for chest disease identification, research gaps for more effective development, and the incorporation of machine learning programs into diagnostic tools.

Laryngeal Penetration and Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia in Children with Dysphagia-A Systematic Review

This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis that assessed the risk of aspiration pneumonia in children with laryngeal penetration or tracheal aspiration via a video-fluoroscopic study (VFSS) and compared the results to those for children with neither condition. Systematic searches were conducted using databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Meta-analysis was used to obtain summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The overall quality of evidence was assessed using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) criteria. In total, 13 studies were conducted with 3159 participants. Combined results from six studies showed that laryngeal penetration on VFSS may be associated with aspiration pneumonia compared to no laryngeal penetration; however, the summary estimate was imprecise and included the possibility of no association (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.94, 2.19, evidence certainty: low). Data from seven studies showed that tracheal aspiration might be associated with aspiration pneumonia compared to no tracheal aspiration (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.86, 3.98, evidence certainty: moderate). The association between aspiration pneumonia and laryngeal penetration through VFSS seems to be weaker than that for tracheal aspiration. Prospective cohort studies with clear definitions of laryngeal penetration and that measure clinical and patient reported outcomes are needed to further define the association between laryngeal penetration and aspiration pneumonia.

Predicting the clinical trajectory of feeding and swallowing abilities in CHARGE syndrome

To date, the feeding and oral-motor abilities of patients with CHARGE syndrome (CS) have not been longitudinally assessed. This study aims to investigate the level of these abilities at different ages and evaluate how they evolve during growth. We retrospectively analysed oral-motor features of 16 patients with molecularly confirmed CS (age range 4-21 years old; mean 11 years; SD 6 years; median 10 years). Nearly 100% of CS new-borns had weak sucking at birth, and half of them demonstrated poor coordination between breathing and swallowing. Over time, the percentages of children with tube feeding dependence (60% at birth) faced a slow but steady decrease (from 33% at 6 months, 25% at 12 months, to 13% at school age) in tandem with the decreasing risk of aspiration. The ability of eating foods requiring chewing was achieved at school age, after the acquisition of an adequate oral sensory processing. A mature chewing pattern with a variety of food textures was not achieved by more than half of patients, including those requiring artificial enteral nutrition. Most patients started prolonged oral-motor treatments with speech language therapists in early childhood.

CONCLUSIONS

Although feeding and swallowing disorders are constant features in CS patients, a slow and gradual development of feeding abilities occurs in most cases. Rehabilitation plays a key role in overcoming structural and functional difficulties and attaining appropriate eating skills.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Feeding problems and swallowing dysfunction have been noted in CHARGE syndrome. • The involvement of multiple factors, including structural problems in the mouth, throat, or esophagus, and neurological impairment, make feeding a complicated task in CHARGE individuals.

WHAT IS NEW

• Dysphagia gradually improves in most CHARGE children over time, though with a wide interindividual variability. • The percentages of children with tube feeding dependence decrease over time from 60% at birth to 33% at 6 months and 13% at school age.

Usefulness of the Modified Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale in Determining the Allowance of Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia Due to Deconditioning or Frailty

Introduction: In patients with dysphagia due to deconditioning or frailty, as with other disorders that cause swallowing disorders, the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) is the gold standard for dysphagia evaluation. However, the interpretation of VFSS results is somewhat complicated and requires considerable experience in the field. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the usefulness of the modified videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (mVDS) in determining whether to allow oral feeding in patients with dysphagia due to deconditioning or frailty. Methods: Data from the VFSS of 50 patients with dysphagia due to deconditioning or frailty were retrospectively collected. We evaluated the association between mVDS and the selected feeding method based on VFSS findings, and between mVDS and the presence of aspiration pneumonia. Results: Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the mVDS total score had a significant association with oral feeding methods based on VFSS findings in patients with dysphagia due to deconditioning or frailty (p < 0.05). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the ROC curve for the selected feeding method was 0.862 (95% confidence interval, 0.747−0.978; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: mVDS seems a valid scale for determining the allowance of oral feeding, and it can be a useful tool in the clinical setting and in studies that aim to interpret VFSS findings in patients with dysphagia due to deconditioning or frailty. However, studies involving a more general population of patients with dysphagia due to deconditioning or frailty are needed.

Oro-pharyngo-esophageal radionuclide scintigraphy predicts aspiration pneumonia risk and associated survival in post-irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that oro-pharyngo-esophageal radionuclide scintigraphy (OPERS) not only detects tracheobronchial aspiration after swallowing, but also quantifies the amount of aspiration and subsequent clearance.

METHODS

Data collected between 2014 and 2019 were reviewed for aspiration pneumonia at 12 and 24-months after OPERS. The predictive value for aspiration pneumonia on flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), and OPERS, and the overall survival of patients with or without aspiration were determined.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients treated with radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were reviewed. The incidence of aspiration detected on FEES, VFSS, and OPERS was 78.4%, 66.7%, and 44.4%, respectively. Using VFSS as a gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of OPERS for aspiration was 73.7% and 100%. The positive and negative predictive values for aspiration were 100% and 66.7%, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 82.8%. A history of aspiration pneumonia was one factor associated with a higher chance of subsequent aspiration pneumonia within 12 months (odds ratio: 15.5, 95% CI 1.67-145.8, p < .05) and 24 months (odds ratio: 23.8, 95% CI 3.69-152.89, p < .01) of the swallowing assessment. Aspiration detected by OPERS was a significant risk factor for future aspiration pneumonia at 12 and 24 months respectively. Significantly, better survival was associated with an absence of aspiration on OPERS only, but not on FEES or VFSS.

CONCLUSION

OPERS predicts the safety of swallowing, the incidence of subsequent aspiration pneumonia, and the survival prognosis in post-irradiated NPC dysphagia patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Validation and Inter-rater Reliability of the Modified Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (mVDS) in Dysphagic Patients with Multiple Etiologies

BACKGROUND

the Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS) is used to interpret and predict the long-term prognosis of patients with dysphagia. However, the inter-rater agreement of the VDS was shown to be lower in a previous study. To overcome the mentioned limitation of the VDS, a modified version (mVDS) was created and applied clinically. We aimed to validate its usefulness in determining the appropriate feeding method and predicting the prognosis of dysphagia.

METHODS

the videofluroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) data of 50 patients with dysphagia were collected retrospectively. The VFSS data were evaluated using the mVDS, and the inter-rater reliability was calculated. We also evaluated the association between the mVDS and type of feeding method selected, and between the mVDS and presence of aspiration pneumonia in patients with dysphagia.

RESULTS

among the different parameters of mVDS, "aspiration" showed the highest reliability (k = 0.767), followed by "mastication" and "lip closure" (k = 0.648 and k = 0.634, respectively). Conversely, "triggering pharyngeal swallow" and "pyriformis residue" demonstrated the lowest reliabilities (k = 0.312 and k = 0.324, respectively). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which is used as a measure of the reliability of the total mVDS score, was 0.876. In all patients with dysphagia, the mVDS score correlated significantly with the type of feeding method selected (p < 0.05), and the presence of aspiration pneumonia (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

the ICC of the total mVDS score was 0.876. Therefore, the mVDS could be a useful tool for quantifying the severity of dysphagia. It could be helpful in the analysis of the VFSS findings among patients with dysphagia in clinical settings and research.

Usefulness of the Modified Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale in Choosing the Feeding Method for Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

INTRODUCTION

The Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS) is used to predict the long-term prognosis of dysphagia in patients with strokes. However, the inter-rater reliability of the VDS was low in a previous study. To overcome the mentioned limitations of the VDS, the modified version of the VDS (mVDS) was created and clinically applied to evaluate its usefulness in choosing the feeding method for stroke patients with dysphagia.

METHODS

The videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) data of 56 stroke patients with dysphagia were collected retrospectively. We investigated the presence of aspiration pneumonia and the selected feeding method. We also evaluated the correlations between the mVDS and the selected feeding method, and between the mVDS and the presence of aspiration pneumonia after stroke. Univariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used in the data analysis.

RESULTS

The inter-rater reliability (Cronbach α value) of the total score of the mVDS was 0.886, which was consistent with very good inter-rater reliability. In all patients with dysphagia, the supratentorial stroke subgroup, and the infratentorial stroke subgroup, the mVDS scores were statistically correlated with the feeding method selected (p < 0.05) and the presence of aspiration pneumonia (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The mVDS can be a useful scale for quantifying the severity of dysphagia, and it can be a useful tool in the clinical setting and in studies for interpreting the VFSS findings in stroke patients with dysphagia. Further studies with a greater number of patients and various stroke etiologies are required for more generalized applications of the mVDS.

Correlation of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study Findings With Radionuclide Salivagram in Chronic Brain-Injured Patients

Objective

To investigate the correlation between videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and radionuclide salivagram findings in chronic brain-injured patients with dysphagia.

Methods

Medical records of chronic brain-injured patients who underwent radionuclide salivagram and VFSS were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to salivagram findings. Differences in patient characteristics and clinical factors, including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC), feeding method, tracheostomy state, and VFSS findings between the two groups were investigated.

Results

A total of 124 patients were included in this study. There were no significant differences in MMSE, MBI, FAC, feeding method, and presence of tracheostomy between the two groups. However, the incidence of aspiration pneumonia history was significantly higher in the positive salivagram group. The Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) was significantly associated with positive salivagram findings, especially in the pharyngeal phase. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure was statistically significant FDS parameter in predicting salivary aspiration on a salivagram (odds ratio=1.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.017–1.190; p=0.018). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of FDS in the pharyngeal phase showed that an optimum sensitivity and specificity of 55.1% and 65.4%, respectively, when the cut-off value was 39.

Conclusion

In chronic brain-injured patients, inappropriate laryngeal elevation and epiglottic closure is predictive variable for salivary aspiration. Therefore, performing a radionuclide salivagram in patients with FDS of 39 or less in the pharyngeal phase for prevents aspiration pneumonia from salivary aspiration.

Current Applications for Nuclear Medicine Imaging in Pulmonary Disease

Purpose of Review

The main goal of the article is to familiarize the reader with commonly and uncommonly used nuclear medicine procedures that can significantly contribute to improved patient care. The article presents examples of specific modality utilization in the chest including assessment of lung ventilation and perfusion, imaging options for broad range of infectious and inflammatory processes, and selected aspects of oncologic imaging. In addition, rapidly developing new techniques utilizing molecular imaging are discussed.

Recent Findings

The article describes nuclear medicine imaging modalities including gamma camera, SPECT, PET, and hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and PET/MR) in the context of established and emerging clinical applications. Areas of potential future development in nuclear medicine are discussed with emphasis on molecular imaging and implementation of new targeted tracers used in diagnostics and therapeutics (theranostics).

Summary

Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging provide many unique and novel options for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases. This article reviews current applications for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging and selected future applications for radiopharmaceuticals and targeted molecular imaging techniques.

Different clinical predictors of aspiration pneumonia in dysphagic stroke patients related to stroke lesion: A STROBE-complaint retrospective study

Although stroke is one of the most common causes of dysphagia, no studies have investigated the radionuclide salivagram as a predictor of aspiration pneumonia in patients with stroke. In addition, few researches on the risk factors of aspiration pneumonia in patients with subacute and chronic stroke undergoing rehabilitation in the rehabilitation unit have been rarely conducted. In this study, therefore, we investigated whether a radionuclide salivagram could predict aspiration pneumonia, and tried to find other clinical factors that may be helpful in predicting aspiration pneumonia in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation in the rehabilitation department.From March 2013 and January 2018, a retrospective review of the medical records of 1182 subacute and chronic stroke patients who were admitted to rehabilitation department (South Korea) was carried out. We included 117 stroke patients with swallowing difficulties who were admitted to our rehabilitation department and satisfied our criteria retrospectively. Stroke lesion, the degree of paralysis, sex, age, onset duration, feeding methods, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), the presence of aspiration in VFSS or salivagram, the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), and the total score of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were investigated by reviewing medical records.To evaluate the predictor of aspiration pneumonia for patients with stroke, multivariate logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise was performed. In the results of this study, only MMSE was significant as a clinical predictor, but not aspiration in VFSS or salivagram in multivariate analysis of supratentorial stroke patients (OR, 0.895) (95% CI, 0.830-964). In multivariate analysis of infratentorial stroke patients, combined results of salivagram and VFSS (aspiration in a salivagram or VFSS) (OR, 0.956) (95% CI, 0.919-995), and total MBI scores were significant as clinical predictors (OR, 24.882) (95% CI, 1.298-477.143).In conclusion, MMSE can be a clinical predictor of the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in patients with supratentorial stroke. In contrast, total MBI score and combined results of a salivagram and VFSS can be clinical predictors of the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in patients with infratentorial stroke.