Objective
To verify the pharyngeal width at rest as a measurement that could be used to assess changes in the degree of dysphagia over time in stroke patients.
Methods
In a cohort of stroke patients, we performed serial measurements of the pharyngeal width at the midpoints of the second (C2) and third (C3) cervical vertebral bodies using lateral neck X-rays while the patients were at rest. The JOSCYL width, a parameter named after the first initial of each developers’ surname and defined as the average value of the upper and lower pharyngeal widths, was used to formulate the JOSCYL scale, which was calculated as the JOSCYL width × 100/neck circumference. All patients also underwent serial videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs). The Spearman correlation analysis was used to detect correlations between the serial VFSS results, JOSCYL widths, and JOSCYL scale values.
Results
Over time, we observed significant positive and negative correlations of change in the JOSCYL width and scale with changes in the Penetration-Aspiration Scale and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale scores, respectively.
Conclusion
The JOSCYL width and JOSCYL scale clearly reflected changes in dysphagia in stroke patients over time. These parameters may provide an easier method for evaluating whether post-stroke dysphagia has been alleviated.

Citations

• Pharyngeal Structure and Dysphagia in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders
  Eunjee Lee, Gyu Jin Kim, Hyewon Ryu, Kwang-Ik Jung, Woo-Kyoung Yoo, Suk Hoon Ohn
  Dysphagia.2024; 39(3): 468.     CrossRef
• Prediction of Pharyngeal 3D Volume Using 2D Lateral Area Measurements During Swallowing
  Howell Henrian G. Bayona, Yoko Inamoto, Eichii Saitoh, Keiko Aihara, Masanao Kobayashi, Yohei Otaka
  Dysphagia.2024; 39(5): 783.     CrossRef
• The influence of pharyngeal width on post-stroke laryngeal aspiration
  Wonil Kang, Jane Chung, Jeongeun Lee, Kwang-Ik Jung, Woo-Kyoung Yoo, Suk Hoon Ohn
  NeuroRehabilitation.2021; 49(3): 435.     CrossRef