Behavioral scales used in severe and moderate traumatic brain injury.

Unlabelled: Neurobehavioral disorders are common consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that should be objectively assessed in this population. The use of scales allows us to unify terms both in clinical practice and investigative work; it also constitutes a useful guide in clinical interviews and makes it possible to see outcome changes in patients with or without intervention. The aim of this study is to review the most frequently neurobehavioral scales used to measure the non-cognitive disorders of conduct in TBI patients.

Botulinum toxin treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with stroke.

Background: In a previous pilot study, we demonstrated that a single injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in the cricopharyngeus muscle is effective in patients with neurologic dysphagia with upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening dysfunction and presence of some pharyngeal contraction (>25 mmHg). The aim of this study was to confirm the long-lasting efficacy of this procedure after stroke.

Methods: We prospectively studied 23 patients with stroke for at least 6 months before administration of a BTX-A injection.

Effectiveness of chin-down posture to prevent tracheal aspiration in dysphagia secondary to acquired brain injury. A videofluoroscopy study.

Background: The chin-down posture is generally recommended in patients with neurogenic dysphagia to prevent tracheal aspiration; however, its effectiveness has not been demonstrated.

Aim: To videofluoroscopically (VDF) assess the effectiveness of chin-down posture to prevent aspiration in patients with neurogenic dysphagia secondary to acquired brain injury.

Methods: Randomized, alternating, cross-over study (with and without the chin-down posture) in 47 patients with a VDF diagnosis of aspiration [31 stroke, 16 traumatic brain injury (TBI)] and 25 controls without aspiration (14 stroke, 11 TBI).

Resolution of tracheal aspiration after the acute phase of stroke-related oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Objectives: We set out to ascertain the evolution and the clinical and videofluoroscopic (VFS) prognostic factors of aspiration recovery and return to oral intake in patients with stroke and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration.

Methods: Twenty patients with stroke and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration were prospectively evaluated. Clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia and VFS examination were performed at admission and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up.

Evolution of tracheal aspiration in severe traumatic brain injury-related oropharyngeal dysphagia: 1-year longitudinal follow-up study.

The aims of the article were to ascertain the clinical evolution and prognostic factors of aspiration recovery and feeding outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a videofluoroscopic (VFS) diagnosis of tracheal aspiration. Twenty-six patients with severe TBI and VFS diagnosis of tracheal aspiration were prospectively evaluated. Clinical evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia and VFS examination were performed at admission and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up.