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To determine whether the use of both videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and radionuclide salivagram was beneficial for detecting aspiration-induced pneumonia in children with swallowing difficulty.
From 2001 to 2016, children who underwent both VFSS and salivagram consecutively for suspected aspiration or dysphagia were included in the study. Demographic data, findings of VFSS and salivagram, and medical records were reviewed.
Aspiration pneumonia (AP) was present in 34 out of 110 children; 48 showed positive aspiration findings in VFSS and 33 showed positive aspiration findings in salivagram. Among the 62 children who were negative of aspiration in VFSS, 12 (19.4%) showed positive aspiration findings in salivagram. Four out of 12 children were diagnosed with AP. The aspiration findings in both VFSS and salivagram were significantly related to AP. However, the aspiration findings in the two tests were weakly consistent. Even if one test showed negative aspiration, it was helpful to additionally detect AP using another test, which showed positive aspiration finding. If aspiration findings were positive in only one of the two tests, the probability of AP was 38.5%, whereas if they were positive in both tests, the probability increased to 66.7%. If the aspiration findings were negative in both tests, AP did not occur with a probability of 90%.
Salivagram is a valuable tool for monitoring of aspiration in children with swallowing difficulties. It could be helpful in assessment of children at a high risk of AP, even if the VFSS showed negative aspiration findings. Thus, testing for AP using both VFSS and salivagram is desirable.
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To demonstrate the usefulness of early videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and to investigate change patterns in dietary methods in stroke patients with dysphagia.
The VFSS was performed within 7 days of stroke onset in neurologically stable patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to type of brain lesion: cortical lesion (CL), subcortical lesion (SCL), and brainstem/cerebellar lesion (BCL). Based on the VFSS results, this study investigated change patterns in feeding method and discrepancies in the aspiration risk predicted by the Water Swallowing Test (WST) and the VFSS. Complications, such as aspiration pneumonia, were also evaluated.
A total of 163 patients met the inclusion criteria and the VFSS was performed within 7 days of stroke. Patients considered at risk for aspiration (Penetration-Aspiration Scale [PAS] scores of 6 to 8) were found in all three groups using the VFSS (47.5% of the CL group, 59.3% of the SCL group, and 47.9% of the BCL group). After early VFSS, 79.7% of the patients were assessed to require restricted feeding methods. A 19.0% discrepancy was found between the WST and VFSS results. At 3-week follow-up after the VFSS, aspiration pneumonia was observed in 12 patients (7.4%) with restricted feeding methods.
Early VFSS during the acute period can facilitate determination of the most appropriate feeding method, and support effective dysphagia management for stroke patients.
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To explore both the early prediction and diagnosis of dysphagia in preterm infants as an important developmental aspect as well as the prevention of respiratory complications, we developed the simple and-easy-to-apply Dysphagia Screening Test for Preterm Infants (DST-PI) to predict supraglottic penetration and subglottic aspiration.
Fifty-two infants were enrolled in a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) due to clinical suspicions of dysphagia. Thirteen items related to supraglottic penetration or subglottic aspiration were initially selected from previous studies for the DST-PI. Finally, 7 items were determined by linear logistic regression analysis. Cutoff values, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the DST-PI for predicting supraglottic penetration or subglottic aspiration were calculated using a ROC curve. For inter-rater reliability, the kappa coefficient was calculated.
Seven items were selected: ‘gestational age,’ ‘history of apnea,’ ‘history of cyanosis during feeding,’ ‘swallowing pattern,’ ‘coughs during or after feeding,’ ‘decreased oxygen saturation within 3 minutes of feeding,’ and ‘voice change after feeding.’ The Spearman correlation coefficient between the DST-PI and the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) was 0.807 (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity at different cutoff values for detecting supraglottic penetration and subglottic aspiration were 96.6% and 76.9% at 3.25, and 88.9% and 75.8% at 6.25, respectively.
The DST-PI is a valid and reliable dysphagia screening test for supraglottic penetration or subglottic aspiration in preterm infants that is easy to apply in a clinical context.
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Spasmodic dysphonia is defined as a focal laryngeal disorder characterized by dystonic spasms of the vocal cord during speech. We described a case of a 22-year-old male patient who presented complaining of idiopathic difficulty swallowing that suddenly developed 6 months ago. The patient also reported pharyngolaryngeal pain, throat discomfort, dyspnea, and voice change. Because laryngoscopy found no specific problems, an electrodiagnostic study and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were performed to find the cause of dysphagia. The VFSS revealed continuous twitch-like involuntary movement of the laryngeal muscle around the vocal folds. Then, he was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia by VFSS, auditory-perceptual voice analysis, and physical examination. So, we report the first case of spasmodic dysphonia accompanied with difficulty swallowing that was confirmed by VFSS.
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To identify risk factors for dysphagia in tongue cancer patients. Dysphagia is a common complication of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in tongue cancer patients. Previous studies have attempted to identify risk factors for dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer, but no studies have focused specifically on tongue cancer patients.
This study was conducted on 133 patients who were diagnosed with tongue cancer and who underwent a videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VFSS) between January 2007 and June 2012 at the Asan Medical Center. Data collected from the VFSS were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with aspiration were identified.
Patients showed a higher incidence of inadequate tongue control, inadequate chewing, delayed oral transit time, aspiration or penetration, vallecular pouch and pyriform residue, and inadequate laryngeal elevation after surgery. Moreover, male gender, extensive tumor resection, a higher node stage, and more extensive lymph node dissection were major risk factors for aspiration in tongue cancer patients.
Tongue cancer patients have difficulties in the pharyngeal phase as well as the oral phase of swallowing. These difficulties can worsen after tongue cancer surgery. Gender, the extent of tumor resection, and lymph node metastasis affect swallowing in tongue cancer patients. Physicians should take these risk factors into account when administering swallowing therapy to tongue cancer patients.
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To compare the swallowing functions according to the lesion locations between brain tumor and stroke patients.
Forty brain tumor patients and the same number of age-, lesion-, and functional status-matching stroke patients were enrolled in this study. Before beginning the swallowing therapy, swallowing function was evaluated in all subjects by videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Brain lesions were classified as either supratentorial or in-fratentorial. We evaluated the following: the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Outcome Measurement System (NOMS) swallowing scale, clinical dysphagia scale, functional dysphagia scale (FDS), penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), oral transit time, pharyngeal transit time, the presence of vallecular pouch residue, pyriform sinus residue, laryngopharyngeal incoordination, premature spillage, a decreased swal-lowing reflex, pneumonia, and the feeding method at discharge.
The incidence of dysphagia was similar in brain tumor and stroke patients. There were no differences in the results of the various swallowing scales and other parameters between the two groups. When compared brain tumor patients with supratentorial lesions, brain tumor patients with infratentorial lesions showed higher propor-tion of dysphagia (p=0.01), residue (p<0.01), FDS (p<0.01), PAS (p<0.01), and lower ASHA NOMS (p=0.02) at initial evaluation. However, there was no significant difference for the swallowing functions between benign and malig-nant brain tumor patients.
Swallowing function of brain tumor patients was not different from that of stroke patients according to matching age, location of lesion, and functional status. Similar to the stroke patients, brain tumor patients with infratentorial lesions present poor swallowing functions. However, the type of brain tumor as malignancy does not influence swallowing functions.
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To examine the effects of a bedside exercise program on the recovery of swallowing after a stroke.
Fifty stroke patients with dysphagia (<6 months post-stroke) were enrolled and classified into two groups, the experimental (25 subjects) and control groups (25 subjects). The control group was treated with conventional swallowing therapy. The experimental group received additional bedside exercise training, which consisted of oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, and respiratory exercises, 1 hour per day for 2 months, and they were instructed regarding this program through the nursing intervention. All patients were assessed for their swallowing function by Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS), using the New VFSS scale, the level of functional oral intake, the frequency of dysphagia complications, the presence (or not) of tube feeding, the mood state and quality of life before the treatment and at 2 months after the treatment.
After 2 months of treatment, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in the swallowing function at the oral phase in the New VFSS Scale than that of the control group (p<0.05). Further, they also showed less depressive mood and better quality of life than the control group. However, there was no significant change in the incidence of dysphagia complication and the presence (or not) of tube feeding between the two groups.
Bedside exercise program showed an improvement of swallowing function and exhibited a positive secondary effect, such as mood state and quality of life, on subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. For improvement of rehabilitation results on subacute stroke patients with dysphagia, this study suggests that additional intensive bedside exercise would be necessary.
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To investigate whether patterns of swallowing difficulties were associated with the location of the brain lesion, cognitive function, and severity of stroke in stroke patients.
Seventy-six patients with first-time acute stroke were included in the present investigation. Swallowing-related parameters, which were assessed videofluoroscopically, included impairment of lip closure, decreased tongue movement, amount of oral remnant, premature loss of food material, delay in oral transit time, laryngeal elevation, delay in pharyngeal triggering time, presence of penetration or aspiration, and the amount of vallecular and pyriform sinus remnants. The locations of brain lesions were classified into the frontal, parietotemporal, subcortical, medulla, pons, and cerebellum. The degree of cognitive impairment and the severity of stroke were assessed by the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), respectively.
An insufficient laryngeal elevation, the amount of pyriform sinus, and vallecular space remnant in addition to the incidence of aspiration were correlated with medullary infarction. Other swallowing parameters were not related to lesion topology. Lip closure dysfunction, decreased tongue movement, increased oral remnant and premature loss were associated with low MMSE scores. A delayed oral transit time were associated with NIHSS scores.
In-coordination of the lip, the tongue, and the oropharynx were associated with the degree of cognitive impairment and the stroke severity rather than with the location of the lesion, whereas incomplete laryngeal elevation and aspiration were predominant in medullary lesions.
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To determine the major risk factors and abnormal videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) findings associated with aspiration in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).
Risk factors associated with aspiration were investigated retrospectively in 241 patients with HNC using medical records and pre-recorded VFSS. Age, gender, lesion location and stage, treatment factors, and swallowing stage abnormalities were included.
Aspiration occurred in 50.2% of patients. A univariate analysis revealed that advanced age, increased duration from disease onset to VFSS, higher tumor stage, increased lymph node stage, increased American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, operation history, chemotherapy history, and radiotherapy history were significantly associated with aspiration (p<0.05). Among them, advanced age, increase AJCC stage, operation history, and chemotherapy history were significantly associated with aspiration in the multivariate analysis (p<0.05). Delayed swallowing reflex and reduced elevation of the larynx were significantly associated with aspiration in the multivariate analysis (p<0.05).
The major risk factors associated with aspiration in patients with HNC were advanced age, higher AJCC stage, operation history, and chemotherapy history. A VFSS to evaluate aspiration is needed in patients with NHC who have these risk factors. Delayed swallowing reflex and reduced elevation of the larynx were major abnormal findings associated with aspiration. Dysphagia rehabilitation should focus on these results.
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To investigate the clinical usefulness of the Schedule for Oral-Motor Assessment (SOMA) in children with dysphagia by comparing findings of SOMA with those of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).
Both SOMA and VFSS were performed in 33 children with dysphagia (21 boys and 12 girls; mean age 17.3±12.1 months) who were referred for oropharyngeal evaluation. Ratings of oral-motor functions indicated by SOMA were based upon the cutting score of each specific texture of food (puree, semi-solids, solids, cracker, liquid-bottle, and liquid-cup). Abnormalities of either the oral phase, or the pharyngeal phase as indicated by VFSS were assessed by a physician and a speech-language pathologist.
There was significant consistency between the findings of SOMA and the oral phase evaluation by VFSS (Kappa=0.419, p=0.023). SOMA reached 87.5% sensitivity, 66.6% specificity, and 95.4% positive predictive value when compared with the oral phase of the VFSS. We were able to evaluate oral-motor function by using SOMA in 6 children who were unable to complete the oral phase evaluation by VFSS, due to fear and crying during the study. The findings of SOMA failed to show any consistency with the pharyngeal phase evaluation by VFSS (Kappa=-0.105, p=0.509).
These results suggest that SOMA is a reliable method for evaluation of oral-motor function in children with dysphagia. In particular, SOMA is recommended for children that were unable to complete the oral phase evaluation by VFSS due to poor cooperation.
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Objective: The objective of this study is to assess whether the patients with dysphagia, who must take fluid thickener and dysphagia diet, have adequate fluid and calory intake.
Method: Fifteen patients with dysphagia were participated in this study. In all of them, dysphagia was documented by videofluoroscopy and viscosity modification was recommended. The amount of fluid and calory intake was measured for 3 consecutive days during taking thickened fluid and dysphagia diet. serum sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) level were measured.
Results: Fourteen of 15 patients with dysphagia took adequate fluid and calory. In thirteen of 14 patients, BUN/Cr ratio and serum sodium were within normal limit. In one of 14 patients, BUN/Cr ratio was elevated due to excessive protein intake. One of 15 patients with dysphagia took the fluid and calory under the standard. Her BUN/Cr ratio was 27.2. But this patient took more fluid and nutrition day after day. At 3rd day after measurement, she took adequate fluid and calory.
Conclusion: Sufficient fluid and calory could be supplied with fluid thickener and dysphagia diet. But physician should observe carefully whether dysphagic patient consume adequate amount of fluid and calory. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 249-253)
Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of 10% dextrose swallowing test (DST) to detect aspiration for patient with tracheostomy in comparison with modified blue dye test (MBDT).
Method: Fifteen brain injured patients with tracheostomy were tested by DST and MBDT. The newly developed DST consists of 3 steps. In the first step, 5 cc 10% dextrose solution is fed 3 times by spoon. In the second step, tracheal secretion is sampled by suction catheter just before swallowing, and 30 seconds, 90 seconds after swallowing. In the third step, tracheal secretion is smeared to glucose oxidase test strip to detect aspiration with color change from pink to purple. MBDT with 0.01 % methylene blue solution was also performed in the same order. The tracheal secretion was smeared to the white paper to see the color change to blue. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed for 9 out of 15 patients.
Results: Fourteen out of 15 patients showed the same outcome in DST and MBDT (kappa= 0.815). Seven out of 9 patients showed the same outcome in DST and VFSS (kappa=0.571). Eight out of 9 patients showed the same outcome in MBDT and VFSS (kappa=0.780).
Conclusion: The DST is a reliable method to detect aspiration for patient with tracheostomy.
Objective: The videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) has been accepted for standard method of dysphagia evaluations. But there is no research for oropharyngeal effects depending on the change of viscosity.
Method: The 10 normal subjects without dysphagia symptom or history were participated. 4 test foods were selected according to viscosity which was measured by line spread test (LST); thick semiblended diet: LST 1 cm, Yoplait: LST 2.44 cm, tomato juice: LST 3.67 cm, 35% diluted barium: LST 4.15 cm. Each foods were swallowed 3 times during VFSS. We measured oral transit time (OTT), pharyngeal delay time (PDT), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), and cricopharyngeal opening time (CPOT)
Results: There was linear correlation between OTT and LST (cm)(r=0.965, P<0.05). As the score of LST increased, PDT tended to increase linearly, but there was no statistical significance (r=0.949, P=0.509). PTT and CPOT had no significant correlation with viscosity.
Conclusion: The viscosity affected OTT and PDT. The test foods of VFSS and dysphagia diet shoud be selected by viscosity measures.
Objective: Post-stroke dysphagia occurs in the form of lingual discoordination, pharyngeal dysmotility, and delayed swallowing reflex. The purpose of this study is to define the pattern of post-stroke swallowing disorder according to the location of brain lesion.
Method: Thirty-nine post-stroke patients and ten normal persons participated to perform the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) with fluid and semisolid gastrograffin. Brain lesions were classified by cortical, subcortical, or brainstem groups and by the involved hemisphere.
Results: There was no difference of swallowing pattern between the cortical and subcortical lesions. However patients with brainstem lesion more frequently showed incomplete laryngeal elevation, prolonged pharyngeal transit time, failure of cricopharyngeal muscle relaxation, and aspiration than with cortical and subcortical lesions (p<0.01). In the patients with cortical and subcortical lesions, aspiration occurred before the laryngeal elevation due to discoordination of laryngopharynx. Whereas in the brainstem lesion, aspiration occurred after the laryngeal elevation due to incomplete laryngeal closure. Premature posterior spillage (p<0.05), poor laryngeal elevation(p<0.05), and tracheal aspiration (p<0.01) were more frequently seen in the patients with right hemispheric dysfunction than the left.
Conclusion: Discoordination of the tongue, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx is predominant in the cortical and subcortical lesion, whereas incomplete laryngeal closure and failure of cricopharyngeal muscle relaxation are predominant in the brianstem lesion.
Objective: This study was designed to examine swallowing function of 16 head and neck surgical patients who had postoperative swallowing difficulties and to identify the relationship between the physiologic causes of aspiration and the surgical procedure in each patient.
Method: Group A was five patients who had partial pharyngolaryngectomy due to hypopharyngeal cancer, Group B was nine patients who had wide excision due to oral cavity cancer, and Group C was two patients who had supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy due to supraglottic laryngeal cancer. Their swallowing function was evaluated with videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).
Results: Aspiration occurred in 40% of patients with partial pharyngolaryngectomy, 44% of patients with wide excision, and 100% of patients with supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy. Group A showed swallowing difficulty because of reduced laryngeal closure and reduced pharyngeal peristalsis. Group B showed swallowing difficulty because of reduced pharyngeal peristalsis, reduced laryngeal function, and impaired tongue control. Group C showed swallowing difficulty for impaired tongue control, reduced laryngeal function, reduced pharyngeal peristalsis, and late swallowing reflex. Most of the patients who had had head and neck cancer surgery can regain normal swallowing function after adequate swallowing rehabilitation.
Conclusion: Each group of head and neck surgical patients had different cause of swallowing difficulty. The knowledge of the determinant component of swallowing pathophysiology is important for successful swallowing rehabilitation.
Objective: The risk of barium aspiration has been reported through animal and clinical studies. Although the barium aspiration occurs frequently during videofluoroscopic barium swallowing study (VFSS) that is used in a standard method for diagnosis of dysphagia, there has been no research about the risk of VFSS.
Method: One hundred VFSS of sixty nine patients were analyzed prospectively. The patients were diagnosed to dysphagia clinically. VFSS findings were classified into 5 groups according to the severity of aspiration. The incidences of complications, such as fever (>38.3oC), leukocytosis (>10,000), dyspnea and abnormality of chest roentgenogram within 24hours after VFSS were determined in each group. Odds ratios of complications after VFSS for severity of their findings were calculated.
Results: The complications of VFSS are as follows; five febrile conditions, three leukocytosis and three dyspnea among 100 VFSS cases. Odds ratios for complications were over 1 except for the abnormality of chest roentgenogram, but which was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The incidence of complication after VFSS was 5% in dysphagic patients. But the severity of complication was mild and there was no statistical significance between complication and aspiration on VFSS, so VFSS was a relatively safe procedure.
Objective: To investigate the frequency and nature of dysphagia of traumatic brain injured (TBI) patients, and to examine the relationship of clinical parameters with the dysphagia.
Method: Forty-two TBI patients were included in this study. We examined clinical parameters such as Glasgow coma scale (GCS), duration of coma, and posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), hospital stay, rehabilitation stay, functional independence measure (FIM) gain, and efficiency as functional outcomes. We classified the brain lesions into two categories: focal and nonfocal lesion according to the findings of the brain CT imaging. We performed videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VSS) for patients with dysphagia.
Results: Eighteen (42.8%) out of total 42 TBI patients had dysphagia. The presence of dysphagia had significant relationship with GCS, duration of PTA, hospital and rehabilitation stay, and FIM gain. Duration of dysphagia was positively correlated with duration of coma, and hospital and rehabilitation stay, but negatively correlated with FIM gain and efficiency. Duration of dysphagia was longer in patients with nonfocal brain lesion than those with focal brain lesion. On VSS findings, common problems were impairment of tongue control and prolonged pharyngeal transit time. Majority of patients had combined problems in oral and pharyngeal phases.
Conclusion: Dysphagia was common problem in TBI patients, and occurrence and duration were correlated with several clinical parameters and with prognosis of TBI patients.