Dysphagia Following Stroke: Evaluation with Digital Radiography.
10.3348/jkrs.1997.37.6.1013
- Author:
Sung Nam CHU
1
;
Heoung Keun KANG
;
Jung Hyun JOO
;
Chang Il KIM
;
Soo Min PARK
;
Yong Yeon JEONG
;
Jeong Jin SEO
;
Tae Woong CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chonnam University Medical School.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Deglutition disorders;
Brain, infarction;
Radiography, digital
- MeSH:
Barium;
Deglutition;
Deglutition Disorders*;
Epiglottis;
Humans;
Male;
Pharynx;
Radiographic Image Enhancement*;
Stroke*;
Water
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1997;37(6):1013-1019
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of digital radiography in the assessment of dysphagia following stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen stroke patients (8 men, 10 women) referred for dysphagia and ten controls without known pharyngeal swallowing difficulty underwent digital radiography using a 1:1 mixture of barium and water. We evaluated oropharyngeal transit time and the location and severity of dysphagia; transit time was defined as the time from the first movement of the bolus to the return of the epiglottis to its original position. We sought to observe specific patterns of oropharyngeal dysfunction; dysphagia was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: In the control group, oropharyngeal transit time was 1.25sec (1.0-1.5sec), and for dysphagia patients, this was 4.32sec (1.75-6.5sec). Eleven patients (61%) had oral dysfunction, and 12 (67%), pharyngeal dysfunction; eight (44%) showed both oral and pharyngeal dysfunction. Mild swallowing difficulties occurred in six patients (33%), moderate dysfunction in six (33%), and severe dysfunction in three (17%). CONCLUSION: The dynamic image of the pharynx, as seen on a digital radiograph, may be diagnostically useful for defining the location and severity of dysphagia; in order to make feeding recommendations, this information is essential.
