Ultrasound and Videofluoroscopy for Diagnosing Swallowing Disorders

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH CLINICAL CENTER (CC) · Nov 3, 1999

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Patients with neurological or neuromuscular conditions may be silent aspirators or at risk for laryngeal penetration or aspiration because of abnormal oropharyngeal functioning and thus are at risk for aspiration pneumonia and its serious effects. By providing identification of the components of the abnormal swallow, and comparing swallowing across tasks, we may avoid aspiration and can instruct patients on preventative or compensatory swallowing techniques.

We will study the oral, pharyngeal and upper esophageal phases of swallow using both ultrasonic imaging and videofluoroscopy in patie...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Any Clinical Center inpatients and outpatients with known or suspected dysphagia on any other NIH institute protocol can be included for study as well as patients who are admitted specifically for this protocol.
• Those patients at risk for oropharyngeal dysfunction will be screened initially by completing a self-assessment swallowing questionnaire, and by an interview with staff and/or family members. Patients who demonstrate appropriate signs and symptoms of dysphagia and oral motor impairment on the screening assessment will be considered for the protocol:
• • Difficulty swallowing food or pills.
• • Changed swallowing ability.
• • Coughing or choking when eating.
• • Shortness of breath during swallowing.
• • Food backing up into the mouth or nasal passage.
• • Fever or voice changes after swallowing.
• • Pain when swallowing.
• • Unexplained loss of weight.
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Patients who are severely demented or severely compromised will be excluded if they do not have sufficient cognitive ability to follow directions.
• • Patients who are non-ambulatory will be excluded if they can not be braced or supported within the fluoroscopy unit.
• • Highly agitated individuals will also be excluded if they are unable to remain confined in the equipment.
• • Infants and children under age 3 will be excluded due to radiation risk on the developing visual system.