Dysphagia in postpolio patients: a videofluorographic follow-up study.
In patients with a history of acute paralytic poliomyelitis (APP), late progressive muscle weakness may arise, known as the progressive postpoliomyelitis muscular atrophy (PPMA). In 43 patients with PPMA, 8 were evaluated for recent or late progressive dysphagia. The mean interval between APP and onset of swallow symptoms was 27.1 years (range 23-45); the mean age of the patients was 45.4 years (range 35-52). Initial videofluorography showed signs of slight-to-moderate oropharyngeal dysfunction in 6 patients (delayed swallow reflex, diminished peristalsis of constrictor pharyngeus muscle, diminished laryngeal elevation, retention of bolus). In 2 patients, no abnormalities were found. Seven patients were reexamined after 12-36 months (mean 18). All reported subjective progression of symptoms. Videofluorography showed minor changes in 1 patient and unaltered findings in 6. No signs of aspiration were found either clinically or by video. We conclude that patients with PPMA complaining of late dysphagia do not show a significant loss in oropharyngeal function on 1-3 years follow-up.
Ivanyi
B
B
Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Phoa
S S
SS
de Visser
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011052:Poliomyelitis, Bulbar / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014743:Videotape Recording