Aspiration following stroke: is it related to the side of the stroke?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the side of stroke and the presence of aspiration on videofluoroscopy.


METHODS
Observational prospective study.


METHODS
Eighty-seven patients (50% female) admitted with an acute stroke to the University Hospital of South Manchester.


METHODS
Patients admitted to the study underwent brain CT scanning and repeated videofluoroscopy.


RESULTS
CT scanning was performed within a median three days (interquartile range 2-4 days) following stroke and videofluoroscopic (VF) examination (median 2, interquartile range 1-4 days following stroke) of their swallow. Seventeen (19.5%) patients were noted to be aspirating. There were no significant relationships at this time between side or site of lesion and the presence of aspiration. A second assessment was carried out at a median time of 29 days (interquartile range 26-45) following acute stroke. Nine of 69 (13.5%) patients were noted to be aspirating, seven of whom, had right hemisphere lesions (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Continuing aspiration may be related to the side of the cerebral lesion.
Smithard
D G
DG
Department of Geriatric Medicine, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
O'Neill
P A
PA
Martin
D F
DF
England
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed