Swallow apnea--rhinomanometric manifestation and classification.

Swallow apnea designates the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing during which respiration ceases. Abnormal swallowing in this phase is caused by a disturbance of the food transport and/or a disturbance of the closures of the lower airway. Respiratory movements during swallowing leave the lower respiratory tract vulnerable to invasion by food. The respiratory inactivity of swallowing and its disturbance can be demonstrated by rhinomanometric tests. These tests produce characteristic responses, which are reproducible and are not caused by other events. Three types of responses and three subgroups have been found in 639 examinations of 120 subjects. Thirty subjects had actually experienced aspiration. This event was of life-threatening nature in 11 of the subjects. The combination of multiple swallows and prolonged transport, associated with abnormal positioning and release movements points to a serious disturbance. This method has been a good screening test to detect pathologic swallow and to monitor results of treatment.