The use of the Gaussian curve fitting method for scintigraphic measurements of the swallowing process in healthy subjects: implications for evaluation of dysphagia.
OBJECTIVE
To present the results of scintigraphic evaluation, using the Gaussian curve fitting method, via 3 parameters of oropharyngeal swallow: (1) pharyngeal transit time, (2) premature pharyngeal entry, and (3) postswallow pharyngeal stasis while ingesting liquid.


METHODS
A descriptive study.


METHODS
A rehabilitation hospital affiliated with a medical university.


METHODS
Eighteen healthy subjects.


METHODS
All 18 subjects received scintigraphic swallow examination to evaluate dynamic swallow process of 5 mL of liquid.


METHODS
The Gaussian curve fitting method was used to calculate the pharyngeal transit time, premature pharyngeal entry, and postswallow pharyngeal stasis.


RESULTS
The mean pharyngeal transit time was .71 seconds. The maximal percentage of premature pharyngeal entry was 3%. The maximal percentage of postswallow pharyngeal stasis was 9%.


CONCLUSIONS
The Gaussian curve fitting can be used as an objective and time-saving method to calculate the parameters in scintigraphic swallowing examination. Our results approximate other researchers' reports.
Huang
Yu-Hui
YH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Tseng
Fan-Fei
FF
Tsai
Su-Ju
SJ
Lin
Chi-Hsuan
CH
Chou
Yu-Hsing
YH
Lew
Henry L
HL
D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016011:Normal Distribution; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging