Predicting Swallowing Outcomes from Objective Videofluoroscopic Timing and Displacement Measures in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

This study investigated the discriminatory value of quantitative timing and displacement parameters for the Functional Oral Intake Scale and Penetration Aspiration Scale scores using pre- and post-radiation videofluoroscopy data. Swallowtail Software Version 1 (Belldev Medical, Arlington Heights, IL) was used to obtain objective timing and displacement measurements from the pre- and post-radiation videofluoroscopy data for 31 patients who underwent radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, for head and neck cancer. The total pharyngeal transit time (BP2) (p <  0.000,r = 0.43) in pudding bolus trials and the maximal upper esophageal sphincter opening (PESMax/cm) (p = 0.001,r = 0.31) in thin bolus trials were discriminatory for Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Findings suggest that measurement of post-radiation changes using objective and quantitative parameters may offer some discriminatory value regarding future dysphagia risk and prognosis based on total phar yngeal transit time and degree of UES opening. In addition, the results suggest that different bolus types may offer different discriminatory values in HNC population, and that some timing and displacement variables may have discriminatory value for patients’ diet levels independent from any aspir ation risk.
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: research