Dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia, particularly sarcopenic dysphagia, is frequent in frail older patients. Sarcopenic dysphagia is a swallowing disorder caused by sarcopenia, corresponding to a loss of muscle mass and strength. It frequently leads to inhalation and to the decrease of food intake, leading the patient to enter a vicious circle of chronic malnutrition and frailty. The awareness of the major health impacts of sarcopenic dysphagia is recent, explaining a low rate of screening in the population at risk...

INTRODUCTION: In this work, we describe a new case of association between SCA2 and MND. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old man who was diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 presented dysphagia and a significant decline in his ability to walk, with a reduction in autonomy and the need to use a wheelchair. We performed electromyography and electroneurography of the four limbs and of the cranial district and motor-evoked potentials to study upper and lower motor neurons...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess swallowing and laryngeal function at long-term follow-up in patients treated for severe COVID-19 in the ICU. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with severe COVID-19 were prospectively examined with fiberendoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) about 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge. Comparison with initial FEES examinations during the time in hospital was performed in 17 patients. Analysis of swallowing function and laryngeal features was performed from video recordings...

Background: The vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) is a historic restrictive bariatric operation often requiring further surgery. In this investigation utilizing the 2021 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) national dataset, we aim to better define the outcomes of VBG conversions. Methods: We queried the 2021 MBSAQIP dataset for patients who underwent a conversion from a VBG to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Demographics, comorbidities, laboratory values, and additional patient factors were examined...

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in metabolic status, body composition, and food intake are present in all neurodegenerative diseases. Aim of this study was to detect the progression of these changes in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study of 15 patients with PSP. The assessments were performed at baseline (T0) and after 7(IQR = 5) months of follow-up (T1). We collected anthropometric measures including body weight, height, body mass index and waist circumference, metabolic parameters through indirect calorimeters, body composition using bioimpedance analysis, and dietary habits with a validated questionnaire...

Following a serious incident and inquest after the death of a patient due to choking at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Trust put in place an action plan and implemented strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence. Four key actions were identified as essential to try to reduce the risk of a similar event: introduction of a standard operating procedure for mealtimes that included a pre-meal safety 'pause'; use of an electronic communication icon to indicate modified diet/fluid requirements, from emergency department and onward as a patient is transferred; job-specific mealtime safety training; and use of bedside posters with specific dietary requirements (in line with the International Dysphagia Diet Standards Initiative Framework)...

In infants and children with feeding and swallowing issues, modifying solid foods to form a liquid or puree is used to ensure adequate growth and nutrition. However, the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of prolonged use of this intervention during critical periods of postnatal oral skill development have not been systematically examined, although substantial anecdotal evidence suggests that it negatively impacts downstream feeding motor and coordination skills, possibly due to immature sensorimotor development...

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Review. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative cervical orthoses to prevent fixation failure and loss of reduction after operative treatment of cervical spine fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: While cervical orthoses are most times tolerated in trauma patients, it is not clear that postoperative bracing is effective at reducing the rate of fixation failure or nonunion in this patient population...

Self-reported swallowing difficulties are highly prevalent but underreported among older adults. The aging population in India is increasing, yet there is a lack of empirical data on self-reported swallowing difficulties in older adults. In the present study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported swallowing difficulties and assess the swallowing-related quality of life (QOL) among community-dwelling older adults in India. We recruited 361 older adults (60-91 years) from the community. Participants completed the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) to assess self-reported swallowing difficulties and the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) to assess swallowing-related QOL...

Patients with oral and pharyngeal dysphagia have difficulty forming a cohesive bolus and/or transferring food from the mouth into the pharynx and esophagus to initiate the involuntary swallowing process. This may be accompanied by nasopharyngeal regurgitation, aspiration, and a sensation of residual food remaining in the pharynx. Abnormalities affecting the upper esophageal sphincter, pharynx, larynx, or tongue, in isolation or combination, result in oropharyngeal dysphagia affecting either or both transit and airway protection...

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are the most common inflammatory causes of pediatric dysphagia, but several other less prevalent conditions should be considered. These conditions can affect one or several aspects of the swallowing process. In some inflammatory conditions dysphagia may be an early symptom. Esophagoscopy and instrumental swallow studies are often needed to determine the underlying diagnosis and best treatment plan. In some inflammatory conditions dysphagia can portend a worse outcome and need for more aggressive treatment of the underlying condition...

This prospective observational study aimed to assess the impact of behavioral therapy on dysphagia in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing nasogastric tube feeding. The study was conducted between June 2020 and May 2022 at the Neurological Center of Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam, with a sample size of 230 patients divided into two groups: a normal and a behavioral therapy group. The normal therapy group received routine care and treatment based on standard protocols, while the behavioral therapy group underwent daily swallowing exercises for approximately 60 minutes...

A 72-year-old male with dementia and Parkinson's disease presented at the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with acute dysphagia. A chest x‑ray showed a dental prosthesis in the upper esophagus, which was subsequently extracted via rigid esophagoscopy. Due to suspected esophageal perforation on postoperative CT, a cervical approach to the esophagus and flexible esophagoscopy were used, but no evidence of perforation could be identified. This case highlights challenges in managing high-risk esophageal foreign bodies in the upper esophagus, emphasizing the need for careful assessment and a multidisciplinary approach...

Pill dysphagia is a common problem amongst older adults, with significant health consequences. Previous research has found that dysphagia can negatively affect an individuals mental health and wellbeing. However, this research has not been extended to pill-specific dysphagia, which presents distinct differences from the challenges posed by swallowing food and liquids. These differences extend to causes, demographics, and physical health ramifications. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature by investigating the effects of pill dysphagia on the wellbeing of older adults...

Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), alongside flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, represents the gold standard for diagnosing swallowing disorders and to determine severity, pathophysiology, and effective interventions, including texture modification. The clinical swallowing examination and assessment supplements these instrumental methods and serves as the basis for the modules of swallowing diagnostics. The adaptation of food and drink consistencies in dysphagia management has become widespread...

A 24-year-old man with von Recklinghausen's disease presented with complaints of difficulty in swallowing for 6 months and change of voice for 3 months. He also had recent-onset difficulty in breathing. Telelaryngoscopy and subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a well-defined, smooth submucosal mass in the oropharynx (attached to the posterior pharyngeal wall, superior to the level of left aryepiglottic fold), obscuring the ipsilateral pyriform fossa, and nearly blocking the pharyngeal lumen...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Swallowing is a complex task, moderated by a sophisticated bilateral network including multiple supratentorial regions, the brainstem and the cerebellum. To date, conflicting data exist about whether focal lesions to the cerebellum are associated with dysphagia. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate dysphagia prevalence, recovery and dysphagia pattern in patients with ischaemic cerebellar stroke. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients consecutively admitted to an academic stroke centre with ischaemic stroke found only in the cerebellum was performed...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the profile of patients operated for maxillofacial space infections and associated risk factors for the length of hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study among patients operated for maxillofacial infections at our center from 2010 to 2020. Information collected from the records were age, sex, type and number of spaces involved, clinical signs and symptoms (pain, swelling, toothache, sore throat, otalgia, hoarseness, headache, cough, neck swelling, rancid breath, sialorrhea, gingival swelling, muffled voice, trismus, fever, dysphagia, odynophagia, malaise, lymphadenopathy, dyspnoea, pus discharge), treatment modality, total leukocyte count, evidence of bacterial growth, comorbidities, complications if any and length of hospital stay...

This article explores the landscape of dysphagia assessment in adults. Dysphagia, a complex condition affecting the lifespan and many health conditions, significantly compromises individuals' quality of life. Dysphagia is often underdiagnosed, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessment methods to ensure timely and accurate intervention. It encompasses clinical history, physical examination, clinical and instrumental swallow evaluations. Procedures within each of these modalities are reviewed, highlighting strengths, limitations, and contribution toward a complete understanding of dysphagia, ultimately guiding effective intervention strategies for improved patient outcomes...

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of hiatal hernia remains controversial. We aimed to compare outcomes of mesh versus no mesh and fundoplication versus no fundoplication in symptomatic patients; surgery versus observation in asymptomatic patients; and redo hernia repair versus conversion to Roux-en-Y reconstruction in recurrent hiatal hernia. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and the ClinicalTrials.gov databases between 2000 and 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and case series (asymptomatic and recurrent hernias)...