The modified Evan's blue dye procedure fails to detect aspiration in the tracheostomized patient: Five case reports

The modified Evan's blue dye procedure (MEBD) is a method of performing tracheal suctioning of the patient through the tracheostomy tube after administration of color-contrasted food and liquid. The MEBD is done when radiographic or fiberoptic procedures are not available or practical. In 5 tracheostomized patients, the MEBD does not detect aspiration.     

Image processing in swallowing and speech research

An image processing system for application to studies of the temporal and spatial parameters of movement during swallowing and speech is described. Image sequences from videotape are digitized for computerized manipulation and analysis in an attempt to improve on conventional visual inspection. The system is “interactive” or “event-driven”: after executing a function, the computer waits for guidance from the user who controls the program through keyboard and mouse input, selecting options from menus and responding to prompts. The analyst alters image clarity by the application of filters and heightens contrast through video enhancement. A technique called “remapping” reduces head motion and provides uniform spatial scaling. Animated sequences of images are used, as opposed to frame-by-frame analysis, to preserve temporal context and increase efficiency of measurement. Low cost off-the-shelf personal computer hardware is used along with original software tailored to the application.     

脑卒中患者吞咽障碍及康复效果影像学研究

目的探讨电视X线透视吞咽功能检查（videofluoroscopic swallowing study,VFSS）在脑卒中患者吞咽功能评估中的应用价值,观察脑卒中后吞咽障碍发生情况,康复前后患者吞咽功能变化.方法脑卒中患者70例及健康成人80名分别作为研究组与对照组均进行VFSS,比较两组误吸等VFSS异常征象的发生情况.对发现误吸患者进行吞咽功能康复训练4周,训练后复查VFSS,比较训练前后吞咽异常的发生情况变化.结果对照组渗透或误吸、口腔滞留、咽腔滞留的发生率为5.0%,13.4%,25.3%.主要为轻度渗透及口咽腔滞留.研究组渗透或误吸、口腔滞留、咽腔滞留发生率为45.0%,46.5%,48.9%,主要为重度渗透或误吸,中重度口咽腔滞留.其中隐匿性误吸为10次（占总误吸的24.4%）.误吸患者康复治疗后渗透或误吸发生率较康复治疗前减少（P＜0.05）.结论脑卒中后吞咽障碍在康复期仍较为常见,可表现为多种影像学异常.VFSS可确切诊断吞咽异常,进行针对性康复训练,使患者吞咽功能提高.     

Dysphagia,an unrecognized handicap

The aim of this study was to examine whether esophageal dysphagia can be described as a handicap and to grade the severity of handicap as the discrepancy between the subject's own eating goals and his or her eating disability. The severity of the disability-goal-handicap (DGH) regarding dysphagia was expressed on a scale ranging from 0 to 48 points. Nineteen patients with dysphagia of differing causes were selected from a patient register at a laboratory for diagnostic procedures of the esophagus. The severity of handicap for the 19 patients was, on average, 33 points (range, 20–44). The DGH score correlated significantly with the patients' own evaluation of the severity of their dysphagia (p=0.008). The DGH scores did not differ markedly based on patient's sex, age, or cause of dysphagia. Patients who were operated upon because of dysphagia had significantly more points on the DGH scale prior to operation than patients who were not (p=0.001). Denial of dysphagia (N=18), concealment of dysphagia (N=18), and lack of confirmation by the patient's physician (N=15) were common but did not influence the severity of handicap as assessed by the DGH scale. It was shown that dysphagia affects all aspects of life as expressed by reduction in self-esteem (N=13), security (N=16), work capacity (N=8), exercise (N=7), and leisure time (N=6). Esophageal dysphagia may therefore be regarded as a handicap when assessed using the DGH code described in this study.     

脑卒中后吞咽困难的影像学分析

目的明确脑卒中后吞咽困难在X线透视影像学上的表现及特点.方法对56例脑卒中后吞咽困难患者及30名健康志愿者进行X线电视透视检查,记录异常表现,测量定量参数.统计方法采用秩和检验、t检验、卡方检验及Logistic回归分析.结果脑卒中后所有吞咽器官都表现功能异常,口期吞咽异常者46例,咽期异常者56例.与正常组对照,误吸组喉上抬幅度、速度降低,环咽肌打开宽度减少,吞咽潜伏期延长.34例存在误吸.误吸与舌运动减弱（P=0.021）、舌与硬腭接触不良（P=0.021）、声门关闭不全（P=0.011）、喉上抬慢且幅度降低（P=0.003）、吞咽延迟（P=0.001）及穿透（P=0.000）有关.结论脑卒中可损伤所有参与吞咽的器官,咽期吞咽更易受损,舌肌无力、声门关闭不全、喉结构上抬差及吞咽延迟可造成误吸.     

The synchronization of respiration and swallow sounds with videofluoroscopy during swallowing

Simultaneous recording of adult subjects sipping small amounts of fluid from a cup have been obtained by videofluoroscopy together with feeding respiratory patterns and swallow sounds from the Exeter Dysphagia Assessment Technique (EDAT). These allowed visual representations of respiration and swallow sounds to be superimposed on a videofluoroscopy recording using a split-screen technique. Sequentially numbered, 1/50 sec, half-frame photographic prints were examined and schematic drawings of the relevant radiographs were made. These were superimposed on to the actual EDAT printed chart of the same swallow event, theri exact time relationship with respiration and cervical swallow sounds being preserved. The results allow events in the barium videofluoroscopy to be related to events in the feeding respiratory pattern and swallow sounds recorded by EDAT.     

Speech-language pathology and dysphagia: A brief historical perspective

In the past decade, speech-language pathologists have taken a leading role in the management of services for patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. This article presents the historical perspective of this role, the rationale for assuming the responsibility, and suggests directions for continued involvement.     

Mechanisms of oral sensation

Sensory nerves that supply mechanoreceptors in the mucosal lining of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx provide the substrate for a variety of sensations. They are essential for the perception of complex or composite sensory experiences including oral kinesthesia and oral stereognosis. Relevant to the concerns of the oral health care delivery specialist they also contribute to initiation of reflexes and coordination and timing of patterned motor behaviors. The response of oral mechanoreceptors to natural stimuli is determined to a large degree by morphological factors such as the nature of the relationship between nerve ending and certain cellular specializations, their distribution in the mucosa, the diameter of their primary afferent nerve fibers, and the central distribution of these fibers in the brainstem. Because of morphological similarities to certain cutaneous mechanoreceptors, the mucosal lining may be considered as an internal continuation of the large receptor sheet for localization and detection of mechanical stimuli. In some regions of the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal mucosa, this analogy is appropriate whereas in others, existing data suggest a different role consistent with regionally specific demands (i.e., initiation of protective reflexes).     

Swallowing,speech, and brainstem auditory-evoked potentials in spasmodic torticollis

To explore the controversial brainstem theory of spasmodic torticollis, eight consecutively referred patients were examined. Three independent examinations were conducted on the same day: a videofluoroscopic barium swallowing examination, an instrumental speech examination, and a brainstem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) analysis. Swallowing was normal in two patients; speech physiology, in five; and BAEPs, in all. Normal BAEPs refute the brainstem theory, while abnormalities of speech and swallowing temper this conclusion. Several alternative explanations are proposed.The authors have no commercial or proprietary interest in any product mentioned in this article.     

慢性严重误吸的手术治疗

目的：探讨不同病因所致慢性严重误吸患者的最佳手术治疗方式。方法：对8例慢性严重误吸患者分别采用3种手术方式治疗；①气管切开术(5例)、颈气管永久性造瘘术(1例)，气管套管佩带气囊，进食时气囊充气以阻止误吸；②会厌瓣缝合术(即喉口闭锁术，1例)；③胃永久性造瘘术(1例)。结果：8例患者均能经口进食，食物的性状种类不受限制，且未发现吸入性肺炎。其中5例带气囊者仅在进食后放气时，略有轻微刺激性咳嗽，1例喉癌行Arslan术式者，仍有较轻误吸现象，以上6例患者堵管时均能发声，可日常交谈；1例采用会厌瓣缝合术患者，术后经口进食已完全杜绝误吸现象；1例行胃永久性造瘘术者，能较好解决进食误吸，无胃反流现象。结论：会厌瓣缝合术(喉口闭锁术)、气管切开术(或颈气管永久性造瘘术)和胃永久性造瘘术3种术式，均是解决慢性误吸的外科治疗方法，可依不同的病因及患者的具体情况选择最佳术式。