title: The use of the Gaussian curve fitting method for scintigraphic measurements of the swallowing process in healthy subjects: implications for evaluation of dysphagia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Fan-Fei
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Su-Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chi-Hsuan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yu-Hsing
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Henry L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lew
mesh_terms: 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