Dysphagia

Patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) frequently experience dysphagia but only few studies analyzed its characteristics. The aim of this study was to describe the swallowing characteristics in these patients using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). In addition, the swallowing abilities in patients with predominantly cerebellar MSA (MSA-C) and predominantly parkinsonian MSA (MSA-P) were compared. Twenty-five patients with MSA (16 MSA-P and 9 MSA-C) were enrolled. Clinical data including age, sex, functional oral intake scale (FOIS) score, body mass index (BMI) and the results of the global disability-unified MSA rating scale (GD-UMSARS) were collected...

Menthol is thought to trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms by influencing esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function. We evaluated the effect of esophageal menthol infusion on esophageal motility and the LES in healthy volunteers and in patients with GERD. High resolution manometry (HRM) catheter with attached thin tube for menthol infusion was placed transnasally. Protocol which included baseline recording, 16 water swallows (5 ml, 10 ml, and 15 ml) and the multiple rapid swallows was performed before and after esophageal infusion of menthol (3 mM, 20 min, 8 ml/min)...

The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is the high-pressure zone marking the transition between the hypopharynx and esophagus. There is limited research surrounding the resting UES using pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) and existing normative data varies widely. This study describes the manometric representation of the resting UES using a clinically accessible method of measurement. Data were obtained from 87 subjects in a normative database of pharyngeal HRM with simultaneous videofluoroscopy. The resting UES manometric region was identified and ten measurement segments of this region were taken throughout the duration of the study using the Smart Mouse function within the manometry software...

To determine the global prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in adults. Six electronic databases (Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched, in addition to gray literature (ASHA, Google Scholar, ProQuest Dissertation, and Theses). A random-effects model for meta-analysis of proportions was conducted, and heterogeneity was evaluated according to the moderator variable through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool...

It is not known whether esophageal mast cells may be a cause of unexplained esophageal symptoms. We aimed to determine the prevalence of esophageal mastocytosis in patients without other underlying causes of symptoms and assess the relationship between symptoms and mast cells. In this retrospective study, we identified adults with esophageal symptoms, a normal endoscopy, normal esophageal biopsies, and no definitive diagnosis during clinical evaluation. We quantified mast cell density (mast cells/mm2 ) in archived esophageal biopsies using tryptase immunohistochemistry, and compared mast cell levels by clinical features and physiologic testing...

Swallowing is a sophisticated process involving the precise and timely coordination of the central and peripheral nervous systems, along with the musculatures of the oral cavity, pharynx, and airway. The role of the infratentorial neural structure, including the swallowing central pattern generator and cranial nerve nuclei, has been described in greater detail compared with both the cortical and subcortical neural structures. Nonetheless, accumulated data from analysis of swallowing performance in patients with different neurological diseases and conditions, along with results from neurophysiological studies of normal swallowing have gradually enhanced understanding of the role of cortical and subcortical neural structures in swallowing, potentially leading to the development of treatment modalities for patients suffering from dysphagia...

Analyzing fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is challenging and requires training to ensure the proficiency of health professionals and improve reliability. This scoping review aims to identify and map the available evidence on training health professionals to analyze FEES functional parameters. The method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. The search was performed in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL databases, and in the gray literature...

To assess the severity and timing of penetration and aspiration (PA) of severe dysphagia after lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) and its association with temporal characteristics. We performed videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) in 48 patients with LMS and severe dysphagia and 26 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. The following temporal measures were compared between groups: velopharyngeal closure duration (VCD); hyoid bone movement duration (HMD); laryngeal vestibular closure duration (LCD); upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening duration (UOD); stage transition duration (STD) and the interval between laryngeal vestibular closure and UES opening (LC-UESop)...

To examine the relationship between chewing performance and dietary intakes in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Forty children with CP aged between 2 and 6 years were included. The Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS) and the Mastication Observation and Evaluation (T-MOE) instruments were used to evaluate chewing performance. Daily dietary intakes were measured from a 24-h food record with digital photographs including the amount and textures of all foods consumed during the meal. Chewing function was impaired in 70% of children...

Prophylactic swallowing exercises (PSE) during head-and-neck cancer (HNC) (chemo)radiotherapy (CRT) have a positive effect on swallowing function and muscle strength. Adherence rates to PSE are, however, moderate to low, undermining these effects. PRESTO already showed that the service-delivery mode (SDM), the way the exercises are offered, can influence adherence. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SDM on swallowing function and muscle strength during and post-CRT. In addition, the effect of overall adherence (OA), independent of SDM, was also investigated...

There is no study about all aspects of oropharyngoesophageal (OPE) dysphagia from diagnosis to follow-up in a multidisciplinary manner in the world. In order to close this gap, we aimed to create a recommendation study that can be used in clinical practice, addressing all aspects of dysphagia in the ICU in detail with the opinion of experienced multidisciplinary experts. This recommendation paper was generated by a multidisciplinary team, using the seven-step process and a three-modified Delphi round via e-mail...

High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for diagnosing esophageal motility disorders, yet it can be poorly tolerated and technically challenging. Epiphrenic diverticula (ED) are located in the distal esophagus and are associated with underlying motility disorders. ED patients (2008-2022) were retrospectively compared to achalasia patients (2008-2022) and all other patients (2021-2022) who underwent HRM at a single center. Complete success was defined as at least 7 interpretable swallows including measurements throughout the esophagus into the stomach...

Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) is a severe and common complication after ischemic stroke. The role of silent aspiration as an important contributing factor in the development of a dysphagia-associated complications, in particular aspiration-associated pneumonia has been insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and risk factors of silent aspiration in patients with acute infratentorial stroke by FEES and to identify culprit lesions in stroke patient with a high risk of silent aspiration via voxel-based-symptom-lesion mapping (VBS/ML)...

The purpose of this study is to clarify whether swallowing function can be inferred from grip strength. Based on the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia, patients were divided into two groups according to grip strength, and it was analyzed whether there was a difference in the evaluation index for swallowing function between the two groups. Among the cases requesting evaluation of swallowing function from June 10, 2020 to October 28, 2020, 83 cases (mean age: 71.7 years, 59 males and 24 females) who received assessment tests and swallowing endoscopy were included...

Biofeedback is a critical component in motor learning of new, complex behaviors such as modifications to swallowing. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a commonly employed biofeedback tool in swallowing management to assess muscle activity patterns, determine amplitude and duration of swallowing, and train swallowing strategies such as the effortful swallow (EFS) maneuver. The EFS can potentially change multiple physiological components of the swallowing process such as pressure generation and movement of biomechanical structures...

Project ECHO® is a virtual, interprofessional, cased-based peer-learning model. To date, no studies have explored ECHO as a model for pediatric feeding education. This study examined the outcomes of establishing a pediatric feeding ECHO network. Using a prospective, mixed-methods design, two cohorts of allied health professionals were recruited. Each cohort participated in eight, 90-min videoconference sessions incorporating a didactic presentation and clinical case presentation. The case was presented by a participant, with questions and recommendations provided by the ECHO network...

The impaired swallow timing subsequent to dysphagia or aging can potentially endanger swallowing safety and efficiency. Preliminary evidence has suggested that transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) may have the potential to affect swallow timing. However, limited knowledge exists regarding which TES parameters can optimize swallow timing. Pulse frequency is one of the primary TES parameters that can affect the quality of muscle contraction. Yet, no clear information exists regarding how changing pulse frequency impacts the timing of swallowing events...

While both dysphagia and poor health-related quality of life frequently occur in United States (US) Veterans, swallowing-related quality of life in this population has not been systematically examined. This retrospective clinical observation study aimed to determine the independent predictors of swallowing-related quality of life for a sample of US Veterans. We examined the following variables in a multivariate analysis to determine the predictors of Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire scores: demographic information, Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) scores, Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores, anterior lingual pressures, and Functional Oral Intake Scale scores...

Dysphagia and chronic aspiration are common post-irradiation complications in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) survivors. Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) is a simple device-driven exercise therapy for swallowing training. This study investigates the effectiveness of EMST in a group of post-irradiated NPC patients. This prospective cohort, including twelve patients with previous irradiation for NPC and with swallowing disturbance, was performed between 2019 and 2021 in a single institution. Patients were trained with EMST for 8 weeks...

Dysphagia is a well-documented sequela of stroke. Recent advancements in medical treatments for stroke include reperfusion therapies (endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and thrombolysis). As outcomes following reperfusion therapies are typically measured via general functional scales, the pattern and progression of acute dysphagia following reperfusion therapies is less known. To determine the progression of acute dysphagia (0-72 h) following reperfusion therapies and relationships between various stroke parameters and dysphagia, twenty-six patients were prospectively recruited across two EVT and thrombolysis centres in Brisbane, Australia...