Evaluation of a Solid Bolus Suitable for Esophageal Scintigraphy

This study was designed to select a suitable solid bolus for esophageal scintigraphy. Optimally, a bolus should leave minimal residual buccal and pharyngeal activity after being swallowed. We compared the oropharyngeal behavior of three boluses, i.e., omelette, egg white, and paté of 1- and 3-ml volume. Thirty patients without dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter were recruited for the study. Scintigraphy interpretation was based on the results of condensed images and time activity curves. A total of 108 oropharyngeal transits were analyzed. First we determined the most appropriate volume (1 or 3 ml) of paté, omelette, and egg white (i.e., the volume with the least residual oropharyngeal activity). Buccal or pharyngeal bolus retention occurred significantly less frequently with 1 ml paté than 3 ml (p = 0.03) and also less frequently with 3 ml egg white than with 1 ml egg white (p = 0.03), and the mean buccal bolus retention index was lower using 3 ml omelette than 1 ml omelette (p = 0.03). Then we identified the most suitable of the three selected boluses. Both oral and pharyngeal residues were higher for paté (1 ml) than for omelette (p = 0.02 and 0.05), and pharyngeal residue was significantly lower for omelette (3 ml) than for egg white (3 ml) (p = 0.02). In conclusion, a 3-ml bolus of radiolabeled omelette seems to be the most suitable bolus for exploration of esophageal transit, and its use could enhance the potential of scintigraphy in the assessment of esophageal disorders.     

Stage Transition Duration in Patients Poststroke

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between prolonged stage transition duration (STD) and aspiration. STDs and aspiration ratings were made from videofluoroscopic examinations previously obtained for other studies. Three groups of subjects were examined: (1) 20 stroke patients who aspirated, (2) 31 stroke patients who did not aspirate, and (3) 15 normal subjects. Aspirators poststroke had the longest STD of the three groups. Furthermore, results indicated that STD correctly predicted the presence of aspiration 75% of the time and correctly predicted the absence of aspiration in stroke patients 93% of the time. Nonaspirating stroke participants had similar patterns to the normal subjects. Implications for these findings are discussed.     

Dysphagic Patients with Tracheotomies: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment and Decannulation Management

In 2000 a multidisciplinary protocol for weaning dysphagic patients from the tracheotomy tube and a decannulation decision chart created according to principles of the F.O.T.T.((R)) Concept (Face and Oral Tract Therapy) were introduced in the Swiss Neurological Rehabilitation Centre REHAB in Basel. In the present study we introduce these guidelines and present an evaluation of the treatment and decannulation procedure. We retrospectively compared data from patients before and after introduction of the multidisciplinary procedure with regard to mean cannulation times and success of decannulation. Furthermore, we analyzed the rehabilitation progress of the group who underwent multidisciplinary treatment as well as the participation of the speech language therapist. The results show that the treatment introduced to improve swallowing functions and wean patients from the tracheotomy tube led to a fast and safe decannulation of our patients. The mean length of cannulation time was reduced significantly. After decannulation the patients showed clear functional improvements. Interdisciplinary treatment using the approach discussed in this study can be considered efficient and an important basis for further functional progress in the rehabilitation process.     

Surface Electromyographic Activity of the Submental Muscles During Swallow and Expiratory Pressure Threshold Training Tasks

The use of expiratory muscle strength trainers improves parameters related to pulmonary function, speech, and cough in both healthy and patient populations. Recently, it has been speculated that expiratory strength training may alter the force generation of muscles used during the swallow process. Specifically, the use of the trainer may result in increased activation of the submental muscle complex. Support for this hypothesis was tested by examining the timing and amplitude of submental muscle activity obtained using surface EMG. These muscles are known to be important for normal swallow function. Twenty participants (10 males, 10 females; mean age = 29 years) were recruited to participate in a one-session study. Participants were asked to perform two swallows (saliva swallow and water swallow) and develop an expiratory pressure set at 25% and 75% of their maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) using an expiratory muscle strength trainer. These tasks allowed comparison of muscle activity during both the swallow and expiratory tasks completed with the trainer. Results indicated that the patterns of activation in the submental muscle group while training on the expiratory device had longer duration of activation with higher amplitude of EMG activity when compared with the swallowing condition. These findings indicate that expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) increases motor unit recruitment of the submental muscle complex. Discussion centers on the potential benefit of EMST as a treatment modality for dysphagia characterized by decreased amplitude of hyoid movement during swallowing. This study was completed at the Oral Motor-Human Performance Laboratory of the Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida     

Dysphagia Secondary to Osteoid Osteoma of the Transverse Process of the Second Cervical Vertebra

Dysphagia due to bony lesions of the cervical spine is rare. Almost all reported cases have been secondary to cervical osteophyte formation. We present an unusual case of a 58-year-old male who presented with dysphagia of insidious onset. Investigations revealed osteoid osteoma arising from the transverse process of the second cervical vertebra extending anteriorly in a curvilinear manner. The surgical management of this case is discussed in this report. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of dysphagia secondary to osteoid osteoma of cervical spine.     

What Is the Chin-down Posture? A Questionnaire Survey of Speech Language Pathologists in Japan and the United States

The “chin-down” or “chin-tuck” maneuver is a postural technique widely used in dysphagia treatment. The posture, however, does not have a precise anatomical definition. We studied the current practice of 42 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Japan and the U.S. with a questionnaire survey regarding the chin-down posture. The main findings were that (1) three of five of the pictures were selected by respondents both in Japan and in the U.S. as depicting the chin-down posture; (2) 23% of Japanese and 58% of the U.S. SLPs made a distinction between chin down and chin tuck; and (3) the use of anatomical terminology by SLPs differed between the two countries. This study showed that there is poor agreement among SLPs about the meaning of the chin-down and chin-tuck postures. Developing a precise definition is important because various postures may have differing physiologic effects.     

Are There Any Differences Between Nutcracker Esophagus With and Without Reflux?

“Nutcracker esophagus” (NE) is a primary esophageal motor disorder, first described in patients with noncardiac chest pain. In recent years NE has been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this study we compare patients with NE with and without GERD, as defined by pHmetry or endoscopy, with respect to clinical, endoscopic, radiologic, and manometric findings. Fifty-two patients with NE were studied. They were divided in two groups: GERD (17–32.6%) and non-GERD (35–67.4%) patients. Females predominated in both groups, with no significant difference in age (p > 0.05). Chest pain was the chief complaint in both groups (p > 0.05). Clinical findings in patients with and without reflux included chest pain (52.9% and 51.4%), dysphagia (58.8% and 42.8%), and heartburn (64.7% and 42.8%), followed by regurgitation, dyspepsia, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) complaints, respiratory symptoms, and odynophagia (p > 0.05). Erosive esophagitis was found in three patients (5.7%). There were no differences between groups in the findings of barium swallow studies and all manometric findings were similar for both groups (p > 0.05). We conclude that there were no differences in patients with NE with or without associated reflux disease. It is important to diagnose reflux properly so patients can be treated adequately.     

Adult Dysphagia Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Are SLTs Assessing the Same Factors?

This is the first study to examine dysphagia assessment practices of UK/Ireland speech and language therapists. The aims were to (1) examine practice patterns across clinicians, (2) determine levels of consistency in practice, and (3) compare practices of clinicians in the UK/Ireland with those previously reported of clinicians in the United States. A questionnaire, developed for earlier U.S. research, was adapted following a pilot study. The resulting email survey was completed by 296 speech and language therapists working with dysphagic adults. Respondents were asked to rate how frequently they use 31 components of a clinical dysphagia examination. Consistency was determined by calculating the percentage of respondents who agreed on frequency of use. Low frequency of use was reported for four components: trials with compensatory techniques, obtain patient’s drug history, assessment of speech articulation/intelligibility, and screening/assessment of mental abilities. Variability among clinicians was high, with inconsistency observed for 6/31 components (19%) and high consistency for only 10/31 (32%). Results were compared with data from the earlier U.S. study. Notable differences in practice were observed for five components: cervical auscultation, trials with compensatory techniques, gag reflex, assessment of sensory function, and screening/assessment of mental abilities. Inconsistency among UK/Ireland clinicians was higher than in the comparator U.S. study. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Postnatal changes in the styloid process,vagina processus styloidei,and stylomastoid foramen in relation to the function of muscles originating from the styloid process

We investigated age-related changes in the styloid process in 88 skulls, aged from 5 months to 85 years of age. The osseous styloid process was not well developed in children. Its length increased significantly with age (from 2.3 mm in 11–20 age group to 16.3 mm in 61–85 group). In adolescent specimens (11–20 years of age), the median distance from the styloid process to the stylomastoid foramen was 0.7–0.8 mm, whereas in adult and old age specimens the two structures were completely adjacent or very close, usually less than 0.2 mm. The process was missing in 5% of the adult specimens. There was a statistically significant positive association between the length of the styloid process with age (r = 0.3210, 95% CI 0.0817–0.5254; P = 0.0097), whereas the distance from the styloid process to the stylomastoid foramen significantly decreased with age (r = −0.4518, 95% CI −0.6167 to −0.2490; P = 0.0001). Changes in the length and shape of the styloid process reflected altered function of the three muscles originating from the styloid process—m. stylopharyngeus, m. stylohyoideus and m. styloglossus. They have a common function of lifting the aerodigestive elements upward and backward, after the descent of the aerodigestive tract and final morphological differentiation of the vocal system during puberty. Relationship between altered muscle function and the morphology of the styloid process are important for understanding the clinical syndromes related to the styloid process, such as Eagle’s syndrome. Presented as a poster at the 78 Jahresversammlung 2007 der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V., Munich, 17–20 May 2007.     

深刺崇骨穴为主治疗中风后吞咽困难:随机对照研究

目的:探讨针刺崇骨穴不同深度对中风后吞咽困难临床疗效的影响.方法:采用多中心、随机对照、盲法原则,将283例中风后吞咽困难患者随机分为崇骨深刺组(99例)、崇骨浅刺组(94例)和传统针刺组(90例).在常规治疗的基础上,崇骨深刺组、崇骨浅刺组均取崇骨、廉泉穴,崇骨深刺组崇骨针刺60～75 mm,崇骨浅刺组崇骨针刺30 mm,并通以电针;传统针刺组穴取风池、翳风、完骨、廉泉等,3组均留针30 min,每天2次,共治疗30天.以洼田氏饮水试验评价量表、标准吞咽功能评价量表(SSA)、中风后吞咽障碍中医评价量表进行临床疗效评定.结果:崇骨深刺组总有效率为97.0%(96/99),优于崇骨浅刺组的64.9%(61/94)及传统针刺组的70.0%(63/90)(均P＜0.05).各组内治疗前后分值比较,崇骨浅刺组仅中医评价量表评分下降差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),崇骨深刺组及传统针刺组洼田氏饮水试验评分、SSA评分、中医评价量表评分均下降明显(均P＜0.01);各组间治疗后分值比较,崇骨深刺组各项评分均较崇骨浅刺组、传统针刺组分值下降更明显(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论:针刺崇骨能有效改善中风后吞咽功能障碍,是治疗中风后吞咽困难安全而有效的方法,但必须深刺.