Autoimmune brainstem encephalitis: Clinical associations, outcomes, and proposed diagnostic criteria.

Objective: We describe neurologic phenotype, clinical associations, and outcomes in autoimmune brainstem encephalitis.

Methods: Medical records of neural-IgG positive autoimmune brainstem encephalitis patients diagnosed at Mayo Clinic (January 1, 2006-December 31, 2022) were reviewed.

Results: Ninety-eight patients (57 male) were included.

Causal relationship between cheese intake and risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus: findings from multivariable mendelian randomization and mediation analysis.

Objective: Previous studies have indicated a potential correlation between cheese intake and risk of various diseases. However, establishing a causal relationship is challenging. To address this, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to simulate randomized trial groups and to investigate whether there is a causal link between cheese intake and the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus.

The Influence of Strength and Skill Parameters on the Evolution of Dysphagia Post Stroke: A Prospective Study.

The role of pathophysiological deficits in the evolution of dysphagia post-stroke is unclear. This observational, longitudinal study aimed to document the evolution and relationship between strength and precision of submental contraction, and swallowing outcomes at six months. Participants were recruited from a tertiary acute hospital after a first acute stroke.

Measurement Properties of the Dysphagiameter for the Assessment of Dysphagia in Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare late-onset muscle disease with progressive dysphagia as a major symptom. The Dysphagiameter is a newly developed patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess the severity of dysphagia and its impact in patients with OPMD. This article reports on item reduction and a first assessment of the Dysphagiameter's psychometrics properties, in a French and English-speaking population of individuals with OPMD.

Intermittent theta burst stimulation vs. high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke dysfunction: a Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis of RCTs.

Objective: This research aims to comprehensively assess the efficacy of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) vs. high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) in post-stroke dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: Until January 2024, extensive electronic database searches were conducted (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, etc.

Predictive biomarkers of radiotherapy- related dermatitis, xerostomia, mucositis and dysphagia in head and neck cancer: A systematic review.

Background: Radiotherapy is essential for treating head and neck cancer but often leads to severe toxicity. Traditional predictors include anatomical location, tumor extent, and dosimetric data. Recently, biomarkers have been explored to better predict and understand toxicity.

Carotid stenosis complicating a vagus paraganglioma: A dually rare case.

Introduction And Importance: Cervical paragangliomas of the vagus nerve are tumors, of wich the nature and location make them extremely rare, representing only 0.012 % of cervical tumors.

Case Presentation: This article reports the case of a 64 year old patient, consulting for a latero-cervical mass associated with dysphonia, dysphagia, and repeated vagal syncopes, evolving for 10 months.

The Smokeless Paradox: Nontobacco Nicotine Use and Complications in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Introduction: Cervical fusion surgeries are commonly performed to stabilize the spine and relieve pain from various conditions. Recent increases in nontobacco nicotine product use, such as electronic cigarettes, present new challenges because of their unknown effects on spinal fusion outcomes. Our study aims to explore the effect of nontobacco nicotine dependence (NTND) on the success of cervical spinal fusions.

The extreme lateral transodontoid approach for large tumors in children in the ventral craniocervical junction.

Objective: Tumors in the ventral craniocervical junction (CCJ) pose unique challenges, particularly in children. The potential constraints with endoscopic approaches to tumors extending inferiorly and laterally and the risk of CSF leakage can be exacerbated in the pediatric population. Here, the authors present their experience with the extreme lateral transodontoid (ELTO) approach in children with large ventral CCJ tumors as an alternative or complement to anterior approaches.

Identifying Paediatric Populations with Increased Risk for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Acute and Critical Care Settings: A Scoping Review.

Dysphagia is common in hospitalised children. Clarity regarding its prevalence is required to direct service needs. This review reports oropharyngeal dysphagia prevalence in children admitted to acute and/or critical care, following acute illness, medical or surgical intervention.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale for the Italian Paediatric Population.

Background: Chewing is a fundamental motor activity, but there is no specific assessment tool in Italian for paediatric rehabilitation. The Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS) is a performance-based assessment tool that allow to classify chewing performance in childhood.

Objective: To translate, culturally adapt and assess reliability, criterion validity and cross-cultural validity of the KCPS into Italian in a paediatric population.

Clinical pearls for the management of duloxetine patients with medical comorbidities.

The effective use of duloxetine can be complicated by acute kidney injury, acute and/or chronic hepatic dysfunction, dysphagia, enteral nutrition, and common pharmacokinetic interactions. This article aimed to review the pharmacological properties of duloxetine pertinent to its use and to discuss the management of duloxetine in patients with common acute and chronic medical comorbidities. Management strategies based on clinical data and expert opinion are reviewed in 3 patient cases.

Primary Esophageal Rhabdomyosarcoma: An Exceptionally Rare Cause of Pediatric Dysphagia.

Esophageal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), a rare pediatric cancer, mimicked achalasia in a case involving dysphagia and vomiting. Diagnosis and chemotherapy necessitate careful monitoring due to potential complications. A 12-year-old girl with no prior medical history presented with progressive dysphagia and vomiting.

Otolaryngological Presentations of Klippel-Feil Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare congenital condition characterized by the fusion of cervical vertebrae. It classically presents with a triad of symptoms: limited cervical range of motion, a low posterior hairline, and a short neck. Common otolaryngological manifestations include hearing loss, dysphagia, cleft palate, jaw disorders, thyroid abnormalities, and ear malformations, highlighting the importance of KFS awareness in the field of otolaryngology.

Acid Reflux Management with the RefluxStop Implant: A Prospective Multicenter Trial with 3-Year Outcomes.

Background: RefluxStop is a unique implant for laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It restores normal function of the gastroesophageal junction without the unwanted effects of encircling the esophagus, circumventing adverse events (AEs) associated with conventional anti-reflux surgeries.

Methods: Three-year follow-up of 50 patients with chronic GERD treated by RefluxStop was achieved in a prospective, single-arm, multicentric clinical trial analyzing safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Cervical spinal cord injury following osteophyte excision for respiratory distress caused by diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis associated with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a case report and literature review.

Background: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a systemic non-inflammatory disorder characterized by enthesopathy and osteophyte formation. DISH can also cause several other symptoms. Limited range of motion (ROM) is the most common symptom; however, dysphagia and respiratory distress are clinically important symptoms.

Long-term Outcomes Following Individualized Elective Primary Tumor CTV Delineation Based on Stepwise Spread Patterns of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy.

Purpose: Our institution has developed an individualized elective primary tumor clinical target volume (CTVp) delineation protocol for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on stepwise tumor spread patterns in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for over ten years. Herein, we report the long-term efficacy and toxicities in NPC patients treated under this protocol.

Methods And Materials: A total of 7,262 histologically proven, nonmetastatic NPC patients treated with IMRT following this individualized delineation protocol were retrospectively evaluated.

High-pressure homogenization transformed salmon protein filament into micelle structure: Improvement on the stability and swallowing rheology of dysphagia-oriented salmon emulsion gels.

The aging population is stimulating increased demand for dysphagia-oriented foods, yet most current options are made of ultra-processed macronutrients and lack high-quality protein and ω-3 fatty acids. This study explores the use of whole salmon fillets as a myofibrillar protein source to stabilize salmon backbone oil, creating ω-3-rich emulsion gels (50-60 vol%) for dysphasia individuals. Two-step high-pressure homogenization (HPH; 50 MPa) improved emulsion texture, storage stability, and swallowability (IDDSI level 4) by reducing oil droplet size (from 20 to 2 μm) and increasing elastic modulus by 6-8 times and viscosity by more than 10 times.

Work-Related Physical Discomfort and Ergonomics Among Speech-Language Pathologists Performing Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing.

Purpose: Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a common component of a comprehensive dysphagia assessment. Endoscopy-related musculoskeletal symptoms resulting from clinician, environment, or equipment factors have been reported among health care professionals. The purpose of this work was to uncover the prevalence and nature of physical discomfort among speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who perform FEES.

Effect of osteosarcopenia on feeding status in hospitalized patients with suspected dysphagia.

Objectives: Osteosarcopenia is a combination of sarcopenia and osteoporosis that increases mortality rates among older people compared with either alone. This study aimed to identify the contribution of osteosarcopenia to the development and severity of dysphagia.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 211 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were referred to the dysphagia rehabilitation team.

The Respiratory-Swallow Coordination may be Related to Aspiration in Infratentorial Stroke Patients.

To investigate the characteristics of respiratory-swallow coordination (RSC) in poststroke dysphagia (PSD) patients following infratentorial stroke (IS) and further explore their association with aspiration. PSD patients after IS and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Nasal airflow and sound signals were recorded using a nasal cannula-type flow sensor and contact microphone, which were synchronized with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS).

The influence of the structure of the masticatory system on the presence and severity of the gag reflex in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Dysphagia, prevalent in 90% of children with neurological disorders, poses risks of medical complications and is associated with cognitive and psychosocial challenges. The absence of the sucking-swallowing reflex and variations in the gag reflex contribute to feeding difficulties.

Objectives: This study focuses on examining the impact of the gag reflex on the masticatory system structure in children with cerebral palsy, aiming to assess its significance.

Elevating Patient Care With Deep Learning: High-Resolution Cervical Auscultation Signals for Swallowing Kinematic Analysis in Nasogastric Tube Patients.

Patients with nasogastric (NG) tubes require careful monitoring due to the potential impact of the tube on their ability to swallow safely. This study aimed to investigate the utility of high-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA) signals in assessing swallowing functionality of patients using feeding tubes. HRCA, capturing swallowing vibratory and acoustic signals, has been explored as a surrogate for videofluoroscopy image analysis in previous research.

Rare case of dysphagia lusoria due to an anomalous vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch.

Dysphagia lusoria is a rare condition characterized by swallowing difficulties due to vascular compression of the esophagus. While most commonly caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), other vascular anomalies can also lead to this condition. We present a unique case of dysphagia lusoria in a 20-year-old Ethiopian male, caused by a vertebral artery originating anomalously from the aortic arch.

Splenomegaly and progressive neurologic involvement: Think about Niemann-Pick type C disease.

Background: Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is a lysosomal storage disease with visceral organ involvement and neurological and psychiatric symptoms. This study presents the clinical and laboratory findings of NPC cases involving three novel variants.

Methods: The clinical and laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively between February 2006 and December 2022.