title: Use of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: This study investigated the use of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) to both diagnose pharyngeal dysphagia and make treatment recommendations in 17 consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and complaints of dysphagia. Ten of 17 (59%) patients exhibited pharyngeal dysphagia with aspiration or aspiration risk with clear liquids, i.e., 5 of 8 (63%) limb and 5 of 9 (56%) bulbar. If depth of bolus flow was a problem, thickened liquids and single, small bolus sizes were recommended. If bolus retention was a problem, a small clear liquid bolus after each puree or solid bolus was recommended to aid pharyngeal clearing. Five of 17 (30%) patients required multiple FEES evaluations because of disease progression. For the first time in patients with ALS, FEES was shown to be successful in assessing preswallow anatomy and physiology, diagnosing pharyngeal dysphagia, and providing objective data for appropriate therapeutic interventions to promote safer oral intake. Visual biofeedback provided by FEES was successful for both patient and family education and to investigate individualized therapeutic strategies that, if successful, can be implemented immediately. Serial FEES allows for objective monitoring of dysphagia symptoms and timely implementation of diet changes and/or therapeutic strategies to continue safer oral intake and maintain optimum quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale University School of Medinice, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8041, USA. Steven.Leder@Yale.edu
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Leder
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novella
authors.forename: Huned
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patwa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology