title: Dysphagia following anterior cervical spine surgery.
abstract: Although previous reports have identified dysphagia as a potential complication of anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS), current understanding of the nature and etiologies of ACSS-related dysphagia remains limited. The present study was undertaken to describe the patterns of dysphagia that may occur following ACSS. Thirteen patients who exhibited new-onset dysphagia following ACSS were studied retrospectively by means of chart review and videofluoroscopic swallow study analysis. Results indicated that a variety of swallowing impairments occurred following ACSS. In 2 patients, prevertebral soft tissue swelling near the surgical site, deficient posterior pharyngeal wall movement, and impaired upper esophageal sphincter opening were the most salient videofluoroscopic findings. In another 5 patients, the pharyngeal phase of swallowing was absent or very weak, with resulting aspiration in 3 cases. In contrast, an additional 4 patients exhibited deficits primarily of the oral preparatory and oral stages of swallowing including deficient bolus formation and reduced tongue propulsive action. Finally, 2 patients exhibited impaired oral preparatory and oral phases, a weak pharyngeal swallow, as well as prevertebral swelling. Thus, a variety of swallowing deficits, due possibly to neurological and/or soft tissue injuries, may occur following ACSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Neary
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Diamant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002933:Cineradiography; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D010528:Peristalsis; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D014059:Tongue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014741:Video Recording