Steffi Galén1, Paul-Georg Jost-Brinkmann. 1. Department of Orthodontics, Dentofacial Orthopedics and Pedodontics, CharitéCentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the possibility of using B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography to differentiate between the visceral and somatic swallowing patterns. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tongue movements during empty swallowing by 11 volunteers with a visceral swallowing pattern were traced in B-mode and M-mode ultrasound imaging before and after successful myofunctional therapy. Thirteen subjects with a somatic swallowing pattern served as the control group. We examined and compared the B-mode sequences and M-mode images of at least six of each study subject's swallowing processes for reproducible characteristics and parameters. RESULTS: We observed wide intraindividual variability, making interindividual comparison difficult or meaningless. We identified no qualitative characteristic features in B-mode imaging that could be designated as solely visceral or physiological swallowing movements. There was no obvious intraindividual reproducibility in the M-mode sonogram of the swallowing act. Given the experimental set-up we used (without a submandibular cushioning pad), it was not possible to differentiate individual swallowing phases, that is, the initial, transporting, and returning phases, on the M-mode images based on characteristic trace points, as described in the literature. We determined the amplitude and velocity of vertical tongue movement as well as total swallowing duration on the M-mode images. These parameters revealed wide intra- and interindividual variability. CONCLUSIONS: No qualitative differences could be established in B-mode imaging with the ultrasound method selected for this study. The parameters that could be measured on the M-mode images are not suitable for differentiating between visceral and somatic swallowing.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the possibility of using B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography to differentiate between the visceral and somatic swallowing patterns. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tongue movements during empty swallowing by 11 volunteers with a visceral swallowing pattern were traced in B-mode and M-mode ultrasound imaging before and after successful myofunctional therapy. Thirteen subjects with a somatic swallowing pattern served as the control group. We examined and compared the B-mode sequences and M-mode images of at least six of each study subject's swallowing processes for reproducible characteristics and parameters. RESULTS: We observed wide intraindividual variability, making interindividual comparison difficult or meaningless. We identified no qualitative characteristic features in B-mode imaging that could be designated as solely visceral or physiological swallowing movements. There was no obvious intraindividual reproducibility in the M-mode sonogram of the swallowing act. Given the experimental set-up we used (without a submandibular cushioning pad), it was not possible to differentiate individual swallowing phases, that is, the initial, transporting, and returning phases, on the M-mode images based on characteristic trace points, as described in the literature. We determined the amplitude and velocity of vertical tongue movement as well as total swallowing duration on the M-mode images. These parameters revealed wide intra- and interindividual variability. CONCLUSIONS: No qualitative differences could be established in B-mode imaging with the ultrasound method selected for this study. The parameters that could be measured on the M-mode images are not suitable for differentiating between visceral and somatic swallowing.
Authors: W Engelke; J Glombek; M Psychogios; S Schneider; D Ellenberger; P Santander Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2014-02-09 Impact factor: 2.503