Oropharyngeal findings of endoscopic examination in swallowing disorders of neurological origin

A study was carried out to examine the significance of anatomical and functional oropharyngeal findings in patients with neurological disorders as part of an endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The study included 101 patients (60.2 years ± 16.35, 63 male = 62%, 38 female = 38%) with neurological disorders (cerebral infarct, head injury, hypoxia) presenting with dysphagia. Oropharyngeal findings from endoscopic examination of nine anatomical regions and ten functional tests were correlated with the results of a standardised endoscopic swallowing test. Anatomical changes were obtained in 30 (30%) patients; functional changes were obtained in 67 (66%) patients. No correlation between these changes and swallowing ability was found. “Start of swallow,” “leaking,” “residues” and “follow-up swallowing” did show a correlation with the results of the swallowing test. In addition, for swallowing tests with saliva, “follow-up swallowing” and “swallowing after coughing” also showed a correlation. Anatomical or functional endoscopic oropharyngeal examination changes alone did not influence swallowing ability in the mixed neurological group studied. Evaluation of swallowing ability requires a swallowing test with saliva and various test consistencies under normal conditions. Failure to swallow following coughing during swallowing tests with saliva can be used as a clinical indicator for aspiration.     

Evaluation of Swallowing Safety With Fiberoptic Endoscope: Comparison With Videofluoroscopic Technique

Videofluoroscopy has long been viewed as the “gold standard” of swallowing examination for the comprehensive information it provides. However, it is not very efficient and accessible in some practical situations. In this study, we tried to use a modified technique of fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES) in evaluating dysphagic patients. For each examination, a spoonful of pudding and dyed water were fed in sequence three times. The pharyngeal swallowing events were observed with fiberscope panoramically and videotaped. Twenty-eight chronic dysphagic patients underwent both videofluoroscopy and FEES in 2 weeks. Comparison of the results revealed that disagreements in premature oral leakage to the pharynx, pharyngeal stasis, laryngeal penetration, aspiration, effective cough reflex, and velopharyngeal incompetence were 39.3%, 10.7%, 14.3%, 14.3%, 39.3%, and 32.1%, respectively. FEES was found to be more sensitive in detecting these risky features of swallowing, except with respect to premature leakage. Possible causes of the discrepant results are discussed, and the limitation of videofluoroscopy in practical usage is discussed. FEES is conclusively a safer, more efficient, and sensitive method than videofluoroscopy in evaluating swallowing safety.     

Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in intensive care unit patients

Aspiration in critically ill patients frequently causes severe co-morbidity. We evaluated a diagnostic protocol using routine FEES in critically ill patients at risk to develop aspiration following extubation. We instructed intensive care unit physicians on specific risk factors for and clinical signs of aspiration following extubation in critically ill patients and offered bedside FEES for such patients. Over a 45-month period, we were called to perform 913 endoscopic examinations in 553 patients. Silent aspiration or aspiration with acute symptoms (cough or gag reflex as the bolus passed into the trachea) was detected in 69.3% of all patients. Prolonged non-oral feeding via a naso-gastric tube was initiated in 49.7% of all patients. In 13.2% of patients, a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was initiated as a result of FEES findings, and in 6.3% an additional tracheotomy to prevent aspiration had to be initiated. In 59 out of 258 patients (22.9%), tracheotomies were closed, and 30.7% of all 553 patients could be managed with the immediate onset of an oral diet and compensatory treatment procedures. Additional radiological examinations were not required. FEES in critically ill patients allows for a rapid evaluation of deglutition and for the immediate initiation of symptom-related rehabilitation or for an early resumption of oral feeding. Presented at the sixth Congress of the European Laryngological Society, Nottingham, Great Britain, 30 August 2006 to 2 September 2006.     

Predictive value of the Hyodo score in endoscopic evaluation of aspiration during swallowing

Objective

The Hyodo scoring system during the endoscopic procedure has been proposed as a new tool for evaluating oral intake feasibility. However, the effectiveness of the information obtained from this procedure in predicting aspiration is not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of clinical factors, including Hyodo scores, for predicting the risk of aspiration.

纤维内镜吞咽功能检查在鼻咽癌放化疗后吞咽障碍评估中的应用

目的 探讨纤维内镜吞咽功能检查(FEES)在鼻咽癌放/化疗后吞咽障碍评估中的应用价值。方法 对37例经放/化疗后的鼻咽癌患者进行安德森吞咽障碍量表检查(MDADI)、FEES、吞咽X线荧光透视检查,对检查结果进行分析。结果 FEES吞咽障碍的阳性检测率为70.27%,高于吞咽X线荧光透视检查的吞咽障碍阳性检测率48.65%(P＜0.05),差异具有统计学意义。FEES与吞咽X线荧光透视检查的一致性较强(Kappa值为0.358)。FEES与量表评估检查一致性(Kappa值为0.340)优于吞咽X线荧光透视检查与量表评估检的一致性(Kappa值为0.194)。结论 FEES可应用于鼻咽癌放/化疗后吞咽障碍的评估,值得临床推广。     

Endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures in children

Aim of the study

To assess the efficacy and safety of endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures in children.

Material and methods

Design: retrospective case series; population: 49 patients under 18 years of age referred to our center for esophageal strictures; treatment: endoscopic balloon dilatation; outcome parameters: residual dysphagia, weight gain, iatrogenic esophageal perforation, assessment of the esophageal lumen by endoscopy or esophagogram.

Results

The three main etiologies were esophageal atresia (49%; n = 24), corrosive injury (25%; n = 12), and epidermolysis bullosa (14%; n = 7), followed by a heterogeneous group of rarer causes (12%; n = 6). The number of dilatations ranged from 1 to 8 sessions per patient (median ± SEM: 2 ± 0.3). The length of the follow-up period ranged from 20 to 109 months (median ± SEM: 40 ± 4 months). Treatment was successful in 86% of cases (n = 42). Twelve percent of patients (n = 6) had a residual stenosis requiring surgery, and a further one still experienced swallowing difficulties requiring enteral nutrition via gastrostomy in spite of the absence of significant residual stricture. Results were less satisfactory in cases of corrosive injury than with other etiologies. Three esophageal perforations were observed (6% of patients; 2% of procedures). All were medically treated.

Conclusions

Endoscopic balloon dilatation is a simple, safe and efficacious treatment of esophageal strictures in children.     

Bacteriology in relation to clinical findings and treatment of acute mastoiditis in children

ObjectiveWe assessed clinical, radiological, laboratory and microbiological findings in children with acute mastoiditis in order to improve the diagnostics and treatment of these patients. We also investigated whether different pathogens cause different clinical findings of mastoiditis.MethodsA retrospective review of the medical records of all children aged 0–16 years treated as in-ward patients for acute mastoiditis at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, between 2003 and 2012.ResultsFifty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of mastoiditis was 1.88/100 000/year. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (38%), Streptococcus pyogenes (11%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%). Of S. pneumoniae, 48% had reduced susceptibility (intermediate or resistant) for the common antimicrobials; this was clearly overrepresented relative to the background population (p < 0.001). Otalgia and retroauricular symptoms were common in the patients with S. pneumoniae. Otorrhoea was less common (p = 0.03) in these patients relative to the other pathogens. Patients with S. pneumoniae had more destruction of the mastoid septa (p = 0.05) than patients with any of the other pathogens. Mastoidectomy was performed in 34% of all cases, it was most common (60%) in the patients with S. pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility. The patients with S. pyogenes had less otalgia and seemed to have less retroauricular symptoms relative to other pathogens. P. aeruginosa especially affected children with tympanostomy tubes, caused otorrhoea in all patients and caused a milder form of disease with less retroauricular swelling (p = 0.04) than the other pathogens, and there was no need for mastoidectomies. The younger children (<2 years) had less otorrhoea and more retroauricular symptoms of infection than the older patients. No significant differences emerged in outcome of the patient groups.ConclusionsThe clinical findings of acute mastoiditis differ according to the causative pathogen. S. pneumoniae, especially strains with reduced susceptibility, causes severe symptoms and leads to mastoidectomy more often than the other pathogens. S. pyogenes causes less otalgia than the other pathogens. P. aeruginosa particularly affects children with tympanostomy tubes and causes a less aggressive form of disease.     

吞咽生命质量量表联合纤维内镜下吞咽功能检查技术在鼻咽癌放化疗后吞咽障碍患者中的应用

目的 吞咽生命质量量表(SWAL-QOL)联合纤维内镜下吞咽功能检查技术(FEES)对鼻咽癌放化疗后吞咽障碍患者的吞咽功能进行评估,以了解经放化疗后的鼻咽癌患者的吞咽相关生活质量情况,并拓展二者在临床中的应用。 方法 纳入2019年9月至2020年3月在四川大学华西医院随访的经放化疗治疗的、且存在吞咽障碍的162例鼻咽癌患者为病例组,纳入健康人144例为对照组,两组均填写SWAL-QOL。并对病例组96例患者进行FEES检查,再根据渗漏/误吸量表(PAS)对其吞咽障碍严重程度进行分级。 结果 病例组SWAL-QOL中生活质量量表的总分(124.69±25.57)及吞咽症状维度得分(58.56±9.46)均明显低于对照组,且组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);生活质量量表中,除“疲劳”“睡眠”维度外,其余8个维度差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。根据PAS评分显示,无渗漏组22例(22.92%),喉渗漏组60例(62.50%),隐性误吸组14例(14.58%),分组比较:3组病例对比发现,SWAL-QOL总分及“言语交流”“进食恐惧”“疲劳”“睡眠”各维度差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对比无渗漏组与喉渗漏组SWAL-QOL总分、吞咽症状维度评分及生活质量量表各维度的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对比无渗漏组和隐性误吸组,SWAL-QOL总分、进食时间、言语交流、睡眠各维度的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但吞咽症状及其他维度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对比喉渗漏组和隐性误吸组,SWAL-QOL总分,“言语交流”“睡眠”各维度差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),吞咽症状及其他维度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论 吞咽障碍对鼻咽癌放化疗后患者生活质量影响是多方面的;SWAL-QOL可联合FEES技术,并结合PAS评分对经放化疗后的鼻咽癌患者的吞咽功能进行评估及吞咽障碍严重程度分级,且PAS分级越高,其SWAL-QOL的评分越低。     

Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing findings in individuals with Zenker’s diverticulum and cricopharyngeal bar

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - To assess fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) findings in individuals with cricopharyngeal bar (CPB) and Zenker’s diverticulum...     

Retropharyngeal infections in children. Treatment strategies and outcomes

Objective

To optimize the treatment of retropharyngeal infections in children.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 101 consecutive pediatric cases of retropharyngeal infections referred to our center from January 2006 to July 2009.

Results

Two-thirds of patients were males. Their mean age was 52 months (range: 6-163). Upper airway obstruction was observed in three patients. In another child, the infection evolved towards a diffuse cervical cellulitis. Medical treatment was initially planned in 44% of patients. Failures requiring surgical drainage occurred in 18% of them. In 56% of cases, surgical treatment was immediately instigated. It failed in 16% of patients, requiring a second surgical drainage. There was no difference in the duration of fever and of hospital stay between patients initially treated medically or surgically. Both medical and surgical treatment failures were associated with longer durations of fever (p = 0.002, and p < 0.0001, respectively) and of hospital stay (p = 0.0006, and p = 0.0005, respectively). Some characteristics of CT-scan anomalies were correlated with treatment failure. A hypodense core surrounded by rim enhancement, with a largest long axis ≥20 mm, was more frequent in case of medical failure (p = 0.02). Surgical failure was associated with the same feature, but with a largest long axis ≥30 mm (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that severe complications are rare in pediatric retropharyngeal adenitis, and that CT-scan is a useful tool to choose between medical and surgical treatment.     

Comparison of outcomes in children with hearing aids and cochlear implants

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to document the performance of a group of children with moderately severe to severe hearing loss who use hearing aids on a range of speech recognition, speech–language, and literacy measures and to compare these results to children with severe to profound hearing loss, who have learned language through cochlear implants.

Methods

This study involved 41 children with bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment, aged 6–18 years. Twenty children had moderately severe/severe hearing loss and used hearing aids, and 21 had severe to profound hearing loss and used cochlear implants. Communication and academic skills were assessed using speech recognition tests and standardized measures of speech production, language, phonology, and literacy.

Results

The two groups did not differ in their open-set speech recognition abilities or speech production skills. However, children with hearing aids obtained higher scores than their peers with cochlear implants in the domains of receptive vocabulary, language, phonological memory, and reading comprehension. The findings also indicate that children with moderately severe or severe hearing loss can develop spoken language skills that are within the range expected for normal hearing children.

Conclusions

School-aged children with moderately severe and severe hearing loss performed better in several domains than their peers with profound hearing loss who received cochlear implants between age 2 and 5 years. Further research is required to evaluate the benefits of hearing aids and cochlear implants in children with hearing loss who are diagnosed and receive intervention within the first year of life.