Use of tongue base palpation among oral healthcare providers: Cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesTo assess the use of tongue base palpation during cancer screening exams by Oral Healthcare Providers (OHPs) and explore attitudes about (1) the usefulness of oral cancer screening (OCS) in detecting early, asymptomatic lesions and (2) routine OCS of the general population.Study designSurvey study.SettingPrivate and hospital-based clinical practices of OHPs located in Massachusetts and Connecticut, United States.MethodsAn anonymous, online 9-item survey assessing beliefs and practice patterns about cancer screening exams was distributed to OHPs with practices in Massachusetts and Connecticut from August 2020 to June 2021. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and Pearson correlations. Statistically significant levels were established at P < .050.ResultsOne hundred seventy-one responses were analyzed (response rate 17 %). Tongue base palpation was performed as part of a routine cancer screening exam by 55 % of otolaryngologists, 34 % of dentists and 29 % of OMFS (P = .030). Providers who palpated the tongue base were also more likely to use palpation as an exam technique in the tonsils (r = 0.52 [95 % CI 0.40–0.62]; P < .001) among other intra-and extra-oral anatomical subsites. Almost all dentists (92 %) and OMFS (98 %) but only 58 % of otolaryngologists considered OCS useful for detection of early, asymptomatic malignant lesions in the oral cavity (P < .001).ConclusionsWhile tongue base palpation can detect oropharyngeal cancers in a pre-symptomatic stage, it is underutilized during routine cancer screening exams. Considering the rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancer, tongue base palpation should be established as a routine part of cancer screening by OHPs.     

Outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery and transoral robotic surgery in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectiveTransoral robotic surgery (TORS) has evolved to a standard therapy modality for oropharyngeal carcinoma, especially in T1/ T2 tumors involving the base of the tongue due to its advantages compared with open surgery. However, knowledge about its benefits compared with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) are scarce. This study compares oncological and functional results of TLM or TORS in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).MethodsThis retrospective analysis comprises all patients with OPSCC treated with TLM (n = 30) or TORS (n = 24) between April 2003 and May 2018 (follow-up 43 ± 38.3 months). Both treatment groups (TLM and TORS) were comparable in terms of the stage of the disease, prognosis-determining factors, and adjuvant therapy modalities.ResultsThere were no significant differences regarding to the resection status (p = 0.272), the rate of local- (p = 0.834) and distant- recurrence (p = 0.416), with a disease-free survival of 86.7 % and 87.5 %, respectively (p = 0.892). In addition, we could not confirm any differences regarding to operating time (p = 0.860), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.660), inpatient stay (p = 0.585) and postoperative bleeding rate (p = 0.245). The frequency of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy between both groups is comparable, with a longer duration of tube feeding in patients who have received TLM (p = 0.030).ConclusionIn conclusion, TORS allows for similar oncological outcomes compared with TLM at comparable perioperative risks. The postoperative swallowing function may benefit from TORS.     

15-Year review of laryngeal and oral dysplasias and progression to invasive carcinoma

The objective of this study is to identify a management or follow-up strategy for patients with laryngeal and oral dysplasia. A chart review of all patients with laryngeal and oral dysplasia over a 15-year period was performed. All patients were followed for a minimum period of 5 years from initial diagnosis of oropharyngeal or laryngeal dysplasia. If invasive carcinoma was demonstrated on subsequent biopsies, the exact time of this was recorded and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were plotted. In the laryngeal cohort, 45 patients were identified, 15 (33%) developed carcinoma, 7 of 30 patients (23%) with mild or moderate dysplasia, compared with 8 of 15 (53%) with severe dysplasia or CIS (P = 0.01). Thirteen of the carcinomas (87%) developed within 36 months of original biopsy. In the oral cohort, 32 patients were identified, 17 (53%) developed carcinoma, 1 of 9 patients (11%) with mild dysplasia, compared with 8 of 12 (67%) with severe dysplasia and 8 of 10 (80%) with CIS (P < 0.001). Fifteen of the 17 patients (88%) developed carcinoma within 36 months of original biopsy. In conclusion, although numbers are small, our results show that mild and moderate laryngeal dysplasia behaves differently to severe dysplasia and CIS. Mild oral dysplasia also behaves differently to severe dysplasia or CIS. In general, progress to malignancy happens within a 3-year period. Severe dysplasia or CIS should be managed aggressively.     

Is there a role for neck dissection in T1 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma? The UCLA experience

PurposeWe sought to examine prognostic and therapeutic implications, including cost-effectiveness, of elective neck dissection in the management of patients with clinically-determined T1N0 oral tongue carcinoma.Materials and methodsA retrospective review of patients with cT1N0 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma who underwent surgical extirpation of primary tumor, with or without elective neck dissection, at UCLA Medical Center from 1990 to 2009 was performed. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess effects of variables on time to first loco-regional recurrence. A healthcare costs analysis of elective neck dissection was performed by querying the SEER-Medicare linked database.ResultsOf the 123 patients identified with cT1N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue, 88 underwent elective neck dissection at the time of tumor resection while 35 did not. For all patients, disease-free survival at 3, 5, and 10 years was 93%, 82%, and 79%. Of the 88 patients undergoing elective neck dissection, 20 (23%) demonstrated occult metastatic disease. Male gender, tumor size, perineural invasion, and occult metastatic disease were individually associated with higher rates of loco-regional recurrence. There was no significant difference in loco-regional recurrence between those who underwent elective neck dissection and those who did not (HR = 0.76, p = 0.52). On cost analysis, neck dissection was not associated with any significant difference in Medicare payments.ConclusionsThe high rate of occult metastasis (23%) following elective neck dissection, which did not confer additional healthcare costs, leads to the recommendation of elective neck dissection in patients with cT1N0 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.     

Transoral carbon dioxide laser ablation for cancer, tumors, and other diseases

A carbon dioxide laser was used on 71 patients for the removal of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers, premalignant lesions, benign tumors, or elongated soft palates. Evaluation of patient morbidity, speech, and swallowing, as well as survival data, suggests that the use of this modality for treatment of these conditions is highly successful, with excellent preservation of oral and pharyngeal function and minimal patient morbidity. Deep excisions of tumors that could lead to restricted motion of the tongue and/or jaw tended to have an adverse effect on both speech and swallowing. Immediate reconstruction should be considered, especially for defects created by excision of large tumors in the anterior oral cavity or in the lateral oropharyngeal wall cancers. Multimodality cancer therapy should be considered for large oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers that have been treated by carbon dioxide laser excision.     

CO2 laser treatment of oral leukoplakia

Treatment of oral leukoplakia has been disappointing with the available treatment modalities, because of inaccurate removal and an approximate 30% to 35% rate of recurrence. The CO2 laser has provided a promising new approach in the management of these lesions with very low morbidity and improved control. Twenty-nine patients were treated with the CO2 laser for 38 extensive (from 1 x 1 cm to 6 x 8 cm) intraoral leukoplakic lesions, 28 for cure and one for palliation. Microscopically the lesions varied from hyperkeratosis to carcinoma in situ. Follow-up of these patients ranges from 3 to 10 years, with an average of 5 years. An initial recurrence rate of 10.8% (4/37) was observed, and a 3-year local control rate of 97% after one to two procedures. A malignant transformation rate of 2.6% was encountered. Excellent wound healing and few complications were observed with this treatment approach. Surgical technique and results are reported supporting the advantages of the CO2 laser over conventional modes of treatment in the management of oral leukoplakia.     

Prevalence of oral and oropharyngeal human papillomavirus infection in Brazilian population studies: a systematic review

IntroductionHuman papillomavirus has been associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, there is no conclusive evidence on the prevalence of oral or pharyngeal infection by human papillomavirus in the Brazilian population.ObjectiveTo determine the rate of human papillomavirus infection in the Brazilian population.MethodsSystematic review of published articles. Medline, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences) and Scielo electronic databases were searched. The search included published articles up to December 2014 in Portuguese, Spanish and English. A wide search strategy was employed in order to avoid publication biases and to assess studies dealing only with oral and/or oropharyngeal human papillomavirus infections in the Brazilian population.ResultsThe 42 selected articles enrolled 4066 patients. It was observed that oral or oropharyngeal human papillomavirus infections were identified in 738 patients (18.2%; IC 95 17.6–18.8), varying between 0.0% and 91.9%. The prevalences of oral or oropharyngeal human papillomavirus infections were respectively 6.2%, 44.6%, 44.4%, 27.4%, 38.5% and 11.9% for healthy people, those with benign oral lesions, pre-malignant lesions, oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, risk groups (patients with genital human papillomavirus lesions or infected partners) and immunocompromised patients. The risk of human papillomavirus infection was estimated for each subgroup and it was evident that, when compared to the healthy population, the risk of human papillomavirus infection was approximately 1.5–9.0 times higher, especially in patients with an immunodeficiency, oral lesions and squamous cell carcinoma. The rates of the most well-known oncogenic types (human papillomavirus 16 and/or 18) also show this increased risk.ConclusionsGlobally, the Brazilian healthy population has a very low oral human papillomavirus infection rate. Other groups, such as at-risk patients or their partners, immunocompromised patients, people with oral lesions and patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma have a high risk of human papillomavirus infection.     

Surgical Variables Affecting Speech in Treated Patients With Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

Postoperative speech function may be influenced by a number of treatment variables. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among various treatment factors to determine the impact of these measures on speech function. Speech function was tested prospectively in 142 patients with surgically treated oral and oropharyngeal cancer 3 months after treatment. Each patient's speech was recorded during a 6- to 7-minute conversation and while performing a standard articulation test, producing speech outcome measures of percent correct consonant phonemes and percent conversational understandability. Correlational analyses were used to determine the relationships among the speech outcome measures and 14 treatment parameters. Speech function was mildly to moderately negatively correlated with most surgical resection variables, indicating that larger amounts of tissue resected were associated with worse speech function. Overall measures of conversational understandability and percent correct consonant phonemes were related to extent of oral tongue resection, floor of mouth resection, soft palate resection, and total volume of tissue resected. These relationships varied depending on the method of surgical closure. Method of surgical reconstruction had a profound impact on postoperative speech function 3 months after treatment and was an important factor in determining how oral tongue resection influenced articulation and intelligibility. The combination of closure type, percent oral tongue resected, and percent soft palate resected had the strongest relationship with overall speech function for patients with surgically treated oral and oropharyngeal cancer 3 months after treatment.     

Mucocele of the hard palate in children

ObjectiveMucus retention cyst of the hard palate may result from obstruction of the ducts of the minor salivary glands, and it was defined as a mucocele. Although, the disease is not common in the hard palate, it was previously reported by many authors in the soft palate. The aim of our study was to present pediatric patients who were diagnosed to have mucocele of the hard palate, and to evaluate the outcome of the surgical excision of this lesion.MethodsThis is a case series study included 8 pediatric patients who presented with cystic lesions on the hard palate which were removed surgically, and were diagnosed as mucoceles. Preoperative data, surgical procedures, and postoperative outcome were presented. Follow up of patients was performed for at least one year.ResultsThe swelling was detected as a single isolated lesion, on the side of the hard palate, covered with healthy mucosa, not tender, oval or round in shape, and measuring 0.4 to 1.7 cm in its greatest dimension. Computed tomography showed a well defined cavity which was not invading the bone, and not disrupting the muscles of the palate. Histopathological examination confirmed that the lesion was a cavity that is lined with an epithelial layer with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. No patients developed intraoperative or postoperative complications, and no recurrence was detected in any patient.ConclusionsOral mucoceles can develop on the hard palate of the children, the lesions are mucus retention cysts. Complete surgical removal of the lesions with their cystic wall is a good treatment options, it carries no risk of recurrence.     

Outcomes of sinonasal oncocytic papilloma by endoscopic approach in 69 patients

ObjectiveSinonasal oncocytic papilloma (SOP) is a rare subtype of sinonasal papilloma. There are currently few reports on its clinical features and outcomes after endoscopic surgical resection. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics of SOP and potential factors predicting tumor recurrence through a single-center retrospective case series analysis.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 69 patients who underwent endoscopic surgery of SOP from June 2012 to April 2019. The data of patients’ demographics, clinical features, follow-up period, and treatment outcomes were collected.ResultsThe series includes 43 males and 26 females with an average age of 60.2 years. The tumor commonly involved the nasal cavity (n = 59; 89.4%), followed by maxillary sinus (n = 31; 44.9%), ethmoid sinus (n = 28; 40.6%), frontal sinus (n = 6; 8.7%) and sphenoid sinus (n = 6; 8.7%). The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 96 months (mean, 34.6 months) and nine patients (13%) developed tumor recurrence during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis found that the recurrence of SOP was significantly related to tumor attachment site, Oikawa tumor stage, and histological dysplasia (p<0.05). Multivariate COX regression analysis found that Oikawa staging system (p = 0.024) and presence of dysplasia (p = 0.04) were significantly related to tumor recurrence.ConclusionSOP had low recurrence rate which was comparable to sinonasal inverted papilloma in the endoscopic era. Our findings also demonstrated that presence of dysplasia is an independent prognostic factor for recurrence free survival.     

Blowing time ratio and high-resolution manometry to evaluate swallowing function of patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer

ObjectiveThe blowing time ratio, which is the ratio of the blowing time when the nostrils are open and closed, is significantly correlated with velopharyngeal pressure, not only during speech but also during swallowing. This study aimed to further evaluate the usefulness of the blowing time ratio as a screening tool to evaluate the swallowing pressure of patients treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancers using high-resolution manometery (HRM).MethodsTen patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer were recruited for this study. Swallowing pressures at the velopharynx, oropharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) were measured using HRM. Their correlations with the blowing time ratio were analyzed.ResultsThe blowing time ratio was significantly correlated with the swallowing pressures of the oropharynx (CC = 0.815, p = 0.004) and the velopharynx (CC = 0.657, p = 0.039), but not of the UES.ConclusionsThe present results further support our previous finding that the blowing time ratio is a useful screening tool to evaluate velopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swallowing pressures in patients treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancer.     

Managing obstructive sleep apnea patients with CPAP failure with a novel Lateral Pharyngoplasty as a stand-alone procedure

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is caused by a complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway. A new Cahali lateral pharyngoplasty as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of OSA patients, whatever the level and pattern of airway obstruction in patients with CPAP failure or non-compliant patients, is it?Patients and methods40 patients with known OSAS non-compliant with CPAP or CPAP failures included. BMI, Stop-Bang score, and sleep study parameters were reported before and after the new Cahali pharyngoplasty operation. Preoperative DISE was done for all cases.ResultsThere were 28 (70%) cases with successful operation outcomes, and 12 (30%) failed cases. Postoperative Stop Bang score, AHI, snoring index were significantly reduced in comparison to preoperative data (p-value <0.001); however, minimal SpO₂ and baseline SpO₂ were significantly increased in comparison to preoperative data. There was a significant improvement in AHI postoperative. Patients collapse at the level of lateral wall hypopharynx, high tongue collapse, laryngeal collapse, tongue palate interaction, all significantly predict failure outcome of the operation (p-value = 0.022). However, the absence of laryngeal collapse (L0) had a successful prediction outcome. The high snoring index significantly predicts operation failure. However, preoperative high baseline SpO₂ predicts operation success significantly.ConclusionThe new Cahali lateral pharyngoplasty can be used as a stand-alone procedure in the absence of lateral wall collapse at the level of the hypopharynx (LH), high tongue base collapse (TH), laryngeal collapse (L1) or tongue palate interaction.     

Laser ablation of posterior nasal nerves for rhinitis

BackgroundPosterior nasal nerve (PNN) surgery, Radiofrequency (RF), and cryoablation have been described as alternative treatments for allergic and vasomotor rhinitis. We hypothesize that endoscopic (diode) laser ablation (ELA) is effective and less invasive than previously described methods.MethodsAn IRB approved prospective study was performed. Thirty-two patients with chronic rhinitis and nasal congestion resistant to medical management were recruited. Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) measurements were used to assess symptom severity and treatment outcomes. ELA was performed bilaterally in the clinic with a 940 nm diode laser with CW 5 W output, under topical/local anesthesia in 21 patients, while the remaining 11 were treated under sedation in the operating room. The 400-micron uninitiated diode laser fiber tip with a malleable protective shaft was specially designed for PNN ablation. The fiber was pre-shaped according to the intranasal anatomy and endoscopically advanced toward the posterior middle meatus. Patients were followed up for the first 90 days after treatment.ResultsELA was successfully completed in 97% of patients. No crusting, epistaxis, or other complications were observed. One patient could not be treated in the office due to limited endoscopic access. TNSS was reduced significantly after30 and 90 days (mean ± SD: 6.0 ± 0.7 prior to ablation, 2.3 ± 0.4 at 90 days, p < .001). Rhinitis and congestion scores decreased at 30 and 90 days after treatment compared to the baseline (p < .001).ConclusionELA of the PNN region is safe and well tolerated both in the office and ambulatory settings. Symptom scores were significantly decreased after 30 and 90 days. This new minimally invasive method appears to be a promising treatment method.     

Microwave ablation for the removal of pharyngeal benign lesions: A prospective pilot case series

ObjectiveWe evaluated microwave ablation (MWA) for treatment of isolated pharyngeal benign lesions, in terms of technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety.MethodsThe patients with pharyngeal benign lesions were treated with endoscopic MWA with a 2450-MHz single cooled-shaft microwave antenna and sent for histological examination. Postoperative pain intensity was measured via visual analogue scale (VAS) on the 12th hour and the third postoperative days.ResultsOf the 137 patients with pharyngeal benign lesions who met the inclusion criteria. The most commonly involved site was the uvula (n = 66, 48.2%), followed by the lateral pharyngeal wall (n = 37, 27.0%), the nasopharyngeal posterior wall (n = 23, 16.8%) and the soft palate (n = 11, 8.0%). All of the procedures were completed using local anesthesia and were well-tolerated by the patients. The ablation time was 5–10 min, with an average duration of 6.3 ± 1.8 min. The most common pathology was papilloma (n = 96, 70.1%), followed by nasopharyngeal cysts (n = 21, 15.3%), polyp (n = 10, 7.3%), epidermoid cysts (n = 8, 5.8%) and Thornwaldt cysts (n = 2, 1.5%). The mean VAS pain score was 2.36 ± 1.08 on postoperative 12th hour and 1.21 ± 0.54 on postoperative third day. At the 6-month follow-up examination, there were no severe complications, such as recurrence, bleeding, or synechiae of the nasal cavity, eustachian tube injury, in any of the patients.ConclusionsThe MWA for the treatment of isolated pharyngeal benign lesion is feasible and alternative to conventional surgical methods, it allows excision of the lesion while providing hemostasis, involves only a short ablation time and has a very low risk of complications. Most of our patients well-tolerate the procedure, which may be performed under local anesthesia in the outpatient setting.     

Resection of an oropharyngeal venous malformation

BackgroundVenous malformations (VMs) are congenital vascular lesions caused by enlarged and ectatic venous channels. Current methods of treatment for VMs involve a combination of sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and surgical resection. While sclerotherapy remains the most commonly used treatment for small VMs, surgery remains an important tool for isolated VMs or larger VMs with higher flow due to potential local and systemic side effects associated with the use of certain sclerosing agents.Methods/resultsHere we present a case of a patient with a naso- and oropharyngeal venous malformation which was successfully resected with endoscopic-assisted transoral surgery.ConclusionsThis is a low-fingerprint technique to tumors of the oropharynx with excellent visualization and maneuverability in cases where TORS is not an option. This technique does not require palate splitting or excessive retraction, allows multiple surgeons to work simultaneously, and is associated with significantly lower morbidity than transcervical techniques.Level of evidenceN/A.     

Radiation dose to the tongue and velopharynx predicts acoustic-articulatory changes after chemo-IMRT treatment for advanced head and neck cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent changes in speech after C-IMRT treatment are related to mean doses to the tongue and velopharynx (VP). In 34 patients with advanced hypopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, or oropharyngeal cancer, changes in speech from pretreatment to 10 weeks and 1 year posttreatment were correlated with mean doses to the base of tongue (BOT), oral cavity (OC) and tonsillar fossa/soft palate (VP). Differences in anteroposterior tongue position, dorsoventral degree of tongue to palate or pharynx constriction, grooving, strength, nasality, and laryngeal rise, were assessed by acoustic changes in three speech sounds that depend on a (post-) alveolar closure or narrowing (/t/, /s/, /z/), three with a tongue to palate/pharyngeal narrowing (/l/, /r/, /u/), and in vowel /a/ at comfortable and highest pitch. Acoustically assessed changes in tongue positioning, shape, velopharyngeal constriction, and laryngeal elevation were significantly related to mean doses to the tongue and velopharynx. The mean dose to BOT predicted changes in anteroposterior tongue positioning from pre- to 10-weeks posttreatment. From pretreatment to 1-year, mean doses to BOT, OC, and VP were related to changes in grooving, strength, laryngeal height, nasality, palatalization, and degree of pharyngeal constriction. Changes in speech are related to mean doses to the base of tongue and velopharynx. The outcome indicates that strength, motility, and the balance between agonist and antagonist muscle forces change significantly after radiotherapy.     

Asociación entre el standarized uptake value (SUV) máximo y el control local en pacientes con carcinoma de orofaringe tratados con radioterapia

ObjectiveTo analyse the prognostic ability of the maximum standardised uptake value (SUV_max) on local disease control in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.Material and methodsRetrospective study of 105 patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas treated with radiotherapy, including chemo- and bio-radiotherapy, and who had a PET-CT scan prior to the start of treatment.ResultPatients with a SUV_max value higher than 17.2 at the primary tumour site had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival for patients with SUV_max less than or equal to 17.2 (n = 71) was 86.5% (95% CI: 78.2–94.7%), and for patients with SUV_max greater than 17.2 (n = 34) it was 55.8% (95% CI: 36.0–75.6%) (P=.0001). This difference in local control was maintained regardless of patients’ HPV status. Specific survival was similarly lower for patients with a SUV greater than 17.2. The 5-year specific survival for patients with SUV_max greater than 17.2 was 39.5% (95% CI: 20.6–58.3%), significantly shorter than that of patients with SUV_max equal to or less than 17.2, which was 77.3% (95% CI: 66.9–87.6%) (P=.0001).ConclusionsPatients with oropharyngeal carcinomas treated with radiotherapy with a SUV_max greater than 17.2 at the level of the primary tumour site had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence.     

The correlation between drug-induced sleep endoscopy findings and severity of obstructive sleep apnea

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the relationship between anthropometric data, drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) findings, and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).MethodsFrom August 2016 to August 2017, a total of 147 surgically naïve adult patients with OSA underwent DISE. Factors that were analyzed included anthropometric data and DISE findings.ResultsWhen anthropometric data and DISE findings were analyzed with AHI by univariate analysis, the results showed that Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, concentric collapse of the velum, lateral oropharyngeal collapse, and anterior-posterior collapse of the tongue base were considered potentially independent predictors (p = 0.024, p < 0 .001, p < 0 .001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0 .001, respectively, by Spearman correlation). When all important factors were evaluated in a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, BMI, lateral oropharyngeal collapse, and anterior-posterior collapse of the tongue base were identified as significant predictors for the severity of OSA. The final model was listed as below:AHI score = 2.19 BMI + 7.56 Oropharynx/Lateral degree + 8.23 Tongue base/ Anterior-Posterior degree – 40.59.ConclusionBy analyzing anthropometric data and DISE findings with AHI score, the results indicated that BMI, lateral oropharyngeal collapse, and anterior-posterior collapse of the tongue base were important factors associated with the severity of OSA.     

Effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training on tongue strength in healthy adults

ObjectiveTongue strength is crucial for safe and efficient oropharyngeal swallowing. This study examined the effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training (TPRT) on anterior and posterior tongue strength by conducting a prospective, randomized, parallel allocation trial.MethodsNinety-one healthy adults were recruited in this study and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 47). The experimental group performed TPRT for 8 weeks (5 days per week), whereas the control group performed the usual daily activities. Tongue strength was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) before and after the practice program was conducted at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, to evaluate the feasibility of the developed training protocol.ResultsThis experimental group demonstrated more improvements in both anterior tongue strength (p < .05) and posterior tongue strength (p < .05). The positive effects of the intervention on tongue strength appeared at 8 weeks for the anterior region and 2 weeks for the posterior region.ConclusionsThese findings illustrate that TPRT can improve tongue strength. It is suggested that people integrate this exercise protocol into their daily life, positive change in tongue strength may prevent or halt presbyphagia.