OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In previous studies, we consistently found that approximately 30% of asymptomatic healthy older adults silently aspirated liquids during a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and that their aspiration status was stable for the following year. However, no studies have systematically evaluated effects of silent aspiration on lung parenchyma and airways. We used computed tomography (CT) to compare lungs of healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators. We hypothesized that CT images would show pulmonary differences in healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Fifty healthy older adults (25 aspirators and 25 nonaspirators) who participated in a previous FEES were randomly selected. CT scans were performed; on inspiration, lung views were taken at 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm windows, and on expiration, lung views were taken at 2.5 mm. CT scans were reviewed by radiologists blinded to group assignment. Outcomes included bronchiectasis, bronchiolectasis, bronchial wall thickening, parenchymal band, fibrosis, air trapping, intraluminal airway debris, and tree-in-bud pattern. RESULTS: χ(2) analyses between aspirators and nonaspirators found no statistically significant differences between aspirators and nonaspirators for any outcomes (P > .05). Logistic regression analyses adjusted for smoking did not change the results. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in pulmonary CT findings between healthy older adult aspirators and nonaspirators. This study adds to the evidence that some aspiration may be within the range of normal for older adults, or at least does not contribute to a change in pulmonary appearance on CT images. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In previous studies, we consistently found that approximately 30% of asymptomatic healthy older adults silently aspirated liquids during a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and that their aspiration status was stable for the following year. However, no studies have systematically evaluated effects of silent aspiration on lung parenchyma and airways. We used computed tomography (CT) to compare lungs of healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators. We hypothesized that CT images would show pulmonary differences in healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Fifty healthy older adults (25 aspirators and 25 nonaspirators) who participated in a previous FEES were randomly selected. CT scans were performed; on inspiration, lung views were taken at 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm windows, and on expiration, lung views were taken at 2.5 mm. CT scans were reviewed by radiologists blinded to group assignment. Outcomes included bronchiectasis, bronchiolectasis, bronchial wall thickening, parenchymal band, fibrosis, air trapping, intraluminal airway debris, and tree-in-bud pattern. RESULTS: χ(2) analyses between aspirators and nonaspirators found no statistically significant differences between aspirators and nonaspirators for any outcomes (P > .05). Logistic regression analyses adjusted for smoking did not change the results. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in pulmonary CT findings between healthy older adult aspirators and nonaspirators. This study adds to the evidence that some aspiration may be within the range of normal for older adults, or at least does not contribute to a change in pulmonary appearance on CT images. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.
Authors: Susan G Butler; Andrew Stuart; L Douglas Case; Catherine Rees; Mara Vitolins; Stephen B Kritchevsky Journal: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 1.547
Authors: Susan G Butler; Andrew Stuart; Xiaoyan Leng; Catherine Rees; Jeff Williamson; Stephen B Kritchevsky Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Rainer Wirth; Rainer Dziewas; Anne Marie Beck; Pere Clavé; Shaheen Hamdy; Hans Juergen Heppner; Susan Langmore; Andreas Herbert Leischker; Rosemary Martino; Petra Pluschinski; Alexander Rösler; Reza Shaker; Tobias Warnecke; Cornel Christian Sieber; Dorothee Volkert Journal: Clin Interv Aging Date: 2016-02-23 Impact factor: 4.458