An improved esophageal insufflation test.
Previous investigations identified that insufflation of the esophagus may elicit reflex pharyngoesophageal closure, impeding airflow and subsequent voice production. A simplified method for esophageal insufflation consistently evaluates the capacity for alaryngeal speech acquisition. Although primarily a method for predicting tracheoesophageal speech, it may also be an important prognostic indicator for traditional esophageal speech development.
D002404:Catheterization; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal; D013072:Speech, Esophageal