BACKGROUND: Dysphagia consists in alteration of the swallowing mechanism, due to different pathological conditions, which can occur at different levels. The exact prevalence of dysphagia is unclear, even if some AA suggest that 15% of the elderly population is affected. Aim of this study is to analyze the main VFMSS findings in elderly dysphagic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The VFMSS of 59 elderly dysphagic patients (32 women, 27 men, ranging in age from 68 to 89 years, mean 81 years) who undergone speech therapy assessment and videofluoromanometric (VFM) investigation of the swallowing process at our institution from January 2011 and December 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In the oral phase the preparation and the initial stage of swallowing should be explored by videofluoroscopy evaluating the ability to contain food in mouth and to form a bolus and whether there is an inadequate convergence of Passavant's ridge with preswallowing aspiration. In the pharyngeal phase is necessary to evaluate at videofluoroscopy if there is penetration and/or aspiration and the efficacy of laryngeal closure should be assessed too. CONCLUSION: The VFSS represents a fundamental examination in the management of the dysphagic patient; this investigation may be associated with manometry providing anatomical and functional informations.
BACKGROUND:Dysphagia consists in alteration of the swallowing mechanism, due to different pathological conditions, which can occur at different levels. The exact prevalence of dysphagia is unclear, even if some AA suggest that 15% of the elderly population is affected. Aim of this study is to analyze the main VFMSS findings in elderly dysphagic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The VFMSS of 59 elderly dysphagic patients (32 women, 27 men, ranging in age from 68 to 89 years, mean 81 years) who undergone speech therapy assessment and videofluoromanometric (VFM) investigation of the swallowing process at our institution from January 2011 and December 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In the oral phase the preparation and the initial stage of swallowing should be explored by videofluoroscopy evaluating the ability to contain food in mouth and to form a bolus and whether there is an inadequate convergence of Passavant's ridge with preswallowing aspiration. In the pharyngeal phase is necessary to evaluate at videofluoroscopy if there is penetration and/or aspiration and the efficacy of laryngeal closure should be assessed too. CONCLUSION: The VFSS represents a fundamental examination in the management of the dysphagic patient; this investigation may be associated with manometry providing anatomical and functional informations.
Authors: Antonio Brillantino; Luigi Monaco; Michele Schettino; Francesco Torelli; Giuseppe Izzo; Angelo Cosenza; Luigi Marano; Natale Di Martino Journal: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 2.566
Authors: S Russo; G Lo Re; M Galia; A Reginelli; V Lo Greco; T D'Agostino; G La Tona; F Coppolino; R Grassi; M Midiri; R Lagalla Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2009-06-26 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: A Solazzo; L Del Vecchio; A Reginelli; L Monaco; A Sagnelli; M Monsorrò; N Di Martino; G Tedeschi; R Grassi Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2011-06-04 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: Natale Di Martino; Antonio Brillantino; Luigi Monaco; Luigi Marano; Michele Schettino; Raffaele Porfidia; Giuseppe Izzo; Angelo Cosenza Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2011-08-07 Impact factor: 5.742