Evaluation of normal and abnormal hyoid bone movement during swallowing by use of ultrasound duplex-Doppler imaging.

We developed a new method to analyze normal and abnormal movements of the hyoid muscular region as an indicator of hyoid bone motion during swallowing using ultrasound duplex-Doppler imaging. Hyoid bone motion can be monitored by studying the Doppler shift spectra and B-mode images produced by ultrasound duplex imaging of the hyoid region muscular attachments. We can accurately determine swallowing duration and trajectory of hyoid bone movement. This procedure can assist in discriminating between normal and abnormal movements of the hyoid bone and the surrounding muscles during swallowing. This method appears to be a highly consistent measure. We suggest that Doppler spectrum analysis can be used for defining hyoid position and displaying accurate movement, which may be useful in the diagnosis of swallowing disorders.