Derangement of swallowing in children with myelomeningocele.
Barium esophagrams performed in 13 children with myelomeningocele demonstrated a variety of swallowing disorders: difficulty in bolus formation, nasopharyngeal reflux, tracheobronchial aspiration. Cricopharyngeal spasm was not identified in this group. Antegrade peristalsis in the distal two-thirds of the esophagus was normal. Gastroesophageal reflux was demonstrated in 8 of the children. Vocal cord paralysis (8/13) and death in early children (7/13) occurred with greater frequency than in the general myelomeningocele population. Correct management of these children may require tracheostomy, gastrostomy, and fundoplication.
D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography
D001466:Barium Sulfate