Timing of events during deglutition after chemoradiation therapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if persistent changes in the duration of bolus movement through the pharynx and bolus movement coordination with pharyngeal swallowing gestures occur after treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma with chemoradiation therapy.

Methods: The timing of bolus movement and coordination with swallowing gestures was evaluated in 30 patients using a modified barium swallowing study at least 1 year after completion of treatment. Patients were recruited irrespective of any swallowing complaints.

Quality-of-life scores compared to objective measures of swallowing after oropharyngeal chemoradiation.

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare objective measures of swallowing function with patient reports of swallowing-related quality of life 1 year after treatment of oropharyngeal cancer with chemoradiation therapy.

Study Design: Patients seen for follow-up at least 1 year after treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma with chemoradiation therapy were sequentially approached and asked to participate in the study.

Methods: Maximum pharyngeal constriction, hyoid elevation, upper esophageal sphincter opening size, and bolus pharyngeal transit time were measured from modified barium swallowing studies in a group of 31 patients at least 1 year after chemoradiation therapy for the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Comparison of trained clinician ratings with expert ratings of aspiration on videofluoroscopic images from a randomized clinical trial.

Accurate detection and classification of aspiration is a critical component of videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation, the most commonly utilized instrumental method for dysphagia diagnosis and treatment. Currently published literature indicates that interjudge reliability for the identification of aspiration ranges from poor to fairly good depending on the amount of training provided to clinicians. The majority of extant studies compared judgments among clinicians.

Comparison of 2 interventions for liquid aspiration on pneumonia incidence: a randomized trial.

Background: Aspiration pneumonia is common among frail elderly persons with dysphagia. Although interventions to prevent aspiration are routinely used in these patients, little is known about the effectiveness of those interventions.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of chin-down posture and 2 consistencies (nectar or honey) of thickened liquids on the 3-month cumulative incidence of pneumonia in patients with dementia or Parkinson disease.

A randomized study of three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia or Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: This study was designed to identify which of 3 treatments for aspiration on thin liquids-chin-down posture, nectar-thickened liquids, or honey-thickened liquids-results in the most successful immediate elimination of aspiration on thin liquids during the videofluorographic swallow study in patients with dementia and/or Parkinson's disease.

Method: This randomized clinical trial included 711 patients ages 50 to 95 years who aspirated on thin liquids as assessed videofluorographically. All patients received all 3 interventions in a randomly assigned order during the videofluorographic swallow study.