Aspiration: cause and implications.
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the overall prevalence of aspiration in dysphagic individuals referred for a modified barium swallow and the underlying anatomic and/or physiologic causes. A total of 166 patients were seen during a 1-month period at 5 participating institutions. Aspiration was detected in 51.2% of the patients. The most common causes were decreased laryngeal elevation and delayed triggering of the pharyngeal motor response. A history of aspiration pneumonia was significantly associated with the presence of aspiration on modified barium swallow study. The presence of a protective cough was present in only 53% of patients who aspirated, reinforcing the need for appropriate radiologic assessment in patients with suspected dysphagia.
Lundy
D S
DS
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, FL 33101, USA.
Smith
C
C
Colangelo
L
L
Sullivan
P A
PA
Logemann
J A
JA
Lazarus
C L
CL
Newman
L A
LA
Murry
T
T
Lombard
L
L
Gaziano
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001464:Barium; D003371:Cough; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
D001464:Barium