Magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating neurogenic dysphagia

Dysphagia due to CNS pathology usually stems from one of two patterns of disease: (1) bilateral corticobulbar tract dysfunction (“pseudobulbar palsy”) or (2) pontomedullary dysfunction (“bulbar palsy”). Computed tomography (CT) has proved to be useful for evaluating the brainstem in patients with neurogenic dysphagia. Nonetheless, artifacts are common in CT imaging of the posterior fossa. Also, direct sagittal imaging is not usually obtainable by CT in adult patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in contrast to CT, simultaneously gathers sequential images in the same plane and can obtain direct reconstructions in any plane of interest. MRI has proven to be more sensitive than CT in demonstrating lesions of the brain, such as demyelinating (e.g., multiple sclerosis) and ischemic diseases, (Brant-Zawadzki et al. 1984, Bradley et al. 1984, Bydder et al. 1982, Sheldon et al. 1985) as well as neoplastic masses that may produce neurogenic dysphagia (Lee et al. 1985, Zimmerman et al. 1986). Five patients with dysphagia are reported for whom MRI was valuable in detecting and characterizing their lesions of the brainstem and the cerebral hemispheres.     

Effectiveness of Single Dilation with Maloney Dilator versus Endoscopic Rupture of Schatzki's Ring Using Biopsy Forceps

Current recommendations for treatment of patients with symptomatic Schatzki's ring are based on anecdotal experience or uncontrolled studies. Maloney dilation is the gold standard. We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare the use of a single 52-Fr Maloney dilation versus four quadrant biopsy of Schatzki's ring for relief of dysphagia. The subjects answered standardized dysphagia-related questions on a scale of 0–5 (0 = no dysphagia; 5 = cannot handle secretions). To account for modifications in diet and eating habits, subjects answered 11 question to arrive at a eating/diet score. Patients with Schatzki's ring were randomized into one of the two protocols. Group 1 underwent endoscopic biopsies of the ring, one biopsy in each quadrant. In group 2, the endoscope was taken out, and a single 52-Fr Maloney dilation was performed. Twenty-six patients participated in the study and were followed for up to 15 months. There was no significant difference in age, sex, race, smoking, alcohol abuse, or medication intake between the two groups. Dysphagia score improved by 91% in both groups at three months and 84% and 85% at 12 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The eating/diet habit score improved by 78% in both groups. There was one failure in each group, and one recurrence at six months in the dilation group. Fifty-five percent of dilation group and 100% of biopsy group described the procedure as easy. There was no difference in the amount of sedatives used during the procedure or the acid blockers after the procedure. In patients undergoing endoscopy, the superior cost/safety profile of endoscopic biopsy makes it a preferred choice for treatment of Schatzki's ring over bougienage.     

覆膜食管支架的临床疗效评价

目的：评价覆膜食管支架的临床疗效。方法在血管造影机的引导下对25例患者置入覆膜食管支架。结果术后25例患者呛咳、吞咽困难等症状得到改善,生活质量明显提高,未见严重并发症。结论置入覆膜食管支架可以安全、有效地治疗食管气管瘘。     

脑损伤患者中文版吞咽障碍指数量表的信度及效度研究

目的:探讨经翻译的中文版吞咽障碍指数(dysphagia handicap index,DHI)量表的信度和效度特征,评定吞咽障碍患者的生存质量。方法:对DHI量表进行系统化翻译并对100例吞咽障碍患者、80例健康对照者进行评估,重测60例。从内部一致性信度和重测信度两方面对DHI进行信度分析;采用有吞咽障碍组和健康人进行群组效度分析;吞咽障碍特异性生存质量量表(swallowing quality of life questionnaire,SWAL-QOL)与DHI量表进行集合效度与区分效度的分析比较。此外,电视荧光吞咽造影检查(video fluoroscopic swallowing study,VFSS)作为吞咽障碍检查的"金标准",本文对DHI量表与VFSS检查吞咽障碍严重程度的关系也进行了效度的分析。结果:因子分析共提取6个公因子,且均可代表一定的量表内容。群组效度独立t检验结果,P0.05差异具有显著性意义。集合效度与区分效度Pearson相关系数绝对值越接近1,项目之间相关性越大。内部一致性信度Cronbachα系数0.70信度良好。重测信度由(ICC)相关系数分析。结论:DHI对吞咽障碍患者具有良好的信度和效度,适合大陆人群,是一个临床有效的、统计学上强有力的患者报告结局量表。     

重复经颅磁刺激对卒中后大鼠的学习记忆功能和海马区胰岛素样生长因子-1表达的影响

目的:研究重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对卒中后大鼠的学习记忆功能和海马区胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)表达的影响。方法:取成年健康雄性Wistar大鼠18只,采用线栓法建立永久性大脑中动脉闭塞大鼠模型,采用低频rTMS对实验组大鼠进行干预治疗,应用免疫荧光技术检测大鼠海马区IGF-1表达变化,应用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠空间学习记忆水平。结果:IGF-1的表达方面,海马区的平均光密度值PMCAO组显著低于PMCAO+rTMS组和sham组(P0.01),PMCAO+rTMS组和sham组相比平均光密度值无显著性差异。空间学习记忆方面,在1—5天定位航行实验中,PMCAO+rTMS组和sham组大鼠的上台潜伏期显著缩短,而PMCAO组上台潜伏期的缩短趋势不如前两组显著(P0.05),在第6天空间探索实验中PMCAO+rTMS组和sham组大鼠的第一次找到平台位置的时间少于PMCAO组(P0.05),并且在60s内穿台次数多于PMCAO组(P0.01)。结论:低频rTMS治疗对于卒中后大鼠在学习和记忆功能的康复具有一定的临床意义,低频rTMS治疗能够在一定程度上维持大脑IGF-1的水平。     

EAT-10中文版在急性期脑卒中后吞咽障碍评估中的信度效度评价

目的：探讨进食评估问卷调查工具-10(eating assessment tool-10,EAT-10)中文版在急性期脑卒中后吞咽障碍评估中的信度和效度。方法：选择急性期脑卒中后住院患者180例,采用EAT-10中文版量表进行筛查评估,并用吞咽障碍的诊断金标准--视频透视吞咽功能检查(videofluoroscopic swallow study,VFSS)为效标进行检验。结果：180名入选患者中有130名问卷合格并顺利行VFS检查,EAT-10中文版总量表Cronbach’s α=0.845,各条目与总分均存在相关,相关系数最低的为条目2(r=0.271),相关系数最高的为条目3(r=0.772),重测信度均为0.7以上,重测信度符合要求。经调查员一致性信度检验,条目2有一位调查员的结果是恒定值,量表其余9个条目的一致相关系数均>0.7,各亚项和总分均值间一致性较高。分别对EAT-10分界值3,2,1进行效度检验,发现分界值1为最理想分界值,灵敏度及阴性预测值最高,判断吞咽障碍的灵敏度为77.9%,特异度为66.1%,阳性预测值71.6%,阴性预测值73.2%,阳性似然比2.30,阴性似然比0.33。结论：EAT-10中文版仅适用于已有饮水和进食经历的患者,EAT-10中文版对评估急性期脑卒中患者有良好的信度和效度,当分界值为1,EAT-10总分≥1时灵敏度和阴性预测值最佳,能够较好地预测急性期脑卒中患者吞咽障碍、吞咽能力受损、渗透和误吸。     

早期康复训练联合行为学疗法治疗老年脑卒中偏瘫患者的效果分析

目的：探讨早期康复训练联合行为学疗法治疗老年脑卒中偏瘫患者的效果。方法依据随机数字表将75例老年脑卒中偏瘫患者随机分为对照组（38例）和观察组（37例）,两组均给予早期康复训练,仅观察组在此基础上加用行为学疗法;分析治疗前和治疗3、6个月后的步态能力（功能性运动量表 FAC）,下肢运动功能和平衡功能（简式 Fugl-Meyer 运动功能评定量表FMA）,步行相关指标（步速和跨步长度）,日常生活活动能力（Barthel 指数）及偏侧空间忽略情况（直线二等分、线段划消及画钟试验）。结果观察组治疗3 个月后的 FMA 评分中的运动功能、Barthel 指数均优于对照组（P ＜0．05）,且治疗 6个月后的FAC 评分、FMA 评分、步行相关指标、Barthel 指数及偏侧空间忽略情况均优于对照组（P ＜0．05）。结论早期康复训练联合行为学疗法治疗老年脑卒中偏瘫患者的效果较好,不仅可改善偏瘫步态和下肢功能,而且可改善偏侧空间忽略,可在脑卒中偏瘫患者患侧功能训练中实施。     

Effects of a food preparation program on dietary well-being for stroke patients with dysphagia: A pilot study

Background:Dysphagia is one of the common issues observed in patients with stroke. Stroke patients with dysphagia have to eat blended food or similar types of food for each meal, resulting in dietary dissatisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a food preparation program on dietary well-being for stroke patients with dysphagia.Methods:This study was a pilot randomized clinical trial. Twenty-two patients were assigned randomly into the food preparation group (n = 11) and control group (n = 11). The food preparation group received oral motor exercises, recognition of food texture and thickener, and hands-on food preparation for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included the Dietary Well-Being Scale, brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of life, Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Mini Nutritional Assessment.Results:Patients in the food preparation group showed significant improvements in the Dietary Well-Being Scale, psychological and environmental domains of the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of life (P = .001–.024) with small to large effect sizes (success rate difference = 0.23–0.46). The Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire and Mini Nutritional Assessment displayed non-significant differences (P = .053–.092) and revealed small to moderate effect sizes (success rate difference = 0.23–0.32).Conclusions:The food preparation program showed a positive impact on dietary well-being and a potential improvement in the health-related quality of life, quality of life related to the process of swallowing, and nutritional status for stroke patients with dysphagia. We recommend that stroke patients with dysphagia receive adequate knowledge and hands-on food preparation training to increase their dietary intake and well-being.     

Therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicines for post-stroke depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background:Whether the addition of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in routine western medicines for post-stroke depression yields additional therapeutic effects still remains to be controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of combination of CHM with routine western medicines versus routine western medicines alone in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:Electronic databases such as PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched from inception till October 2019. Studies designed as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and that investigated the therapeutic effects of CHM plus routine western medicines (CHM group) versus routine western medicines alone (control group) in PSD patients were eligible. The relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the categories and continuous data using random-effects model. Software STATA was applied to perform statistical analysis (Version 10.0; StataCorp, TX,).Results:A total of 18 RCTs involving a total of 1,367 PSD patients were selected for final analysis. The effective rate in CHM group was significantly higher than that in control group (RR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.12–1.24; P < .001). Moreover, patients in CHM group showed association with lower Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (WMD: -3.17; 95%CI: -4.12 to -2.22; P < .001) and Scandinavian Stroke Scale (WMD: -3.84; 95%CI: -5.73 to -1.96; P < .001) than those in control group. Furthermore, patients in CHM were associated with high level of Barthel Index than those in control group (WMD: 11.06; 95%CI: 4.01 to 18.10; P = .002). Finally, patients in CHM group had lower risk of gastrointestinal (RR: 0.49; 95%CI: 0.31–0.77; P = .002) and neurological (RR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.33–0.75; P = .001) adverse events than those in control group.Conclusions:The study findings revealed that addition of CHM to routine therapies could improve the therapeutic effects and reduce gastrointestinal or neurological adverse events.