Findings of a Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study in Patients with Dysphagia

Objective: Swallowing examination is crucial in patients with dysphagia. We aimed to compare qualitative and quantitative videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) results to provide reference for standardizing quantitative parameters.

Materials And Methods: In total, 117 patients with dysphagia were included, 38 with Parkinson's disease and 39 and 40 in convalescence following cerebral hemorrhage and infarction. VFSS was both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed.

Results: A significant difference of Oral transit time was found between the oral motor function grades ( < 0.001), also was swallowing reaction times found between swallowing reaction duration grades ( < 0.001), and soft palate lift duration between the soft palate lift grades ( < 0.001). Superior hyoid bone movement ( < 0.001), anterior hyoid bone movement ( < 0.001), hyoid pause time ( < 0.001), and hyoid movement duration ( = 0.032) had significant differences between the hyoid laryngeal complex movement grades, as did the pharyngeal cavity transit time among the cricopharyngeal muscle opening duration grades ( < 0.001). The laryngeal vestibule closure duration differed among the glottic closure grades ( < 0.001). No statistically significant difference in upper esophageal sphincter opening diameter ( = 0.682) or duration ( = 0.682) among the cyclopharyngeal muscle opening duration grades. The pharyngeal area at rest did not significantly differ among the different vallecular residue ( = 0.202) and pyriform sinus residue ( = 0.116) grades.

Conclusion: Several quantitative parameters can reflect the swallowing assessment process well. Further optimization of quantitative parameters is recommended.