The salivagram in severe cerebral palsy and able-bodied adults.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that the salivagram is frequently positive in those at high risk of aspiration but negative in individuals at low risk of aspiration lung disease.


METHODS
We studied 63 individuals with spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy (CP), aged 14 months to 16 years (31 females and 32 males), and 20 able-bodied young adult volunteers, aged 19-29 years (17 female and three males) using the salivagram. Twenty millilitres of 99mTc-sulphur colloid in saline was instilled into the pharynx of each subject over 1 h. Aspiration was characterised by the appearance of activity in either lung field.


RESULTS
Aspiration was demonstrated by salivagram in 56% of children with CP (95% confidence interval 43% to 68%), compared to 0% of young adults (97.5% one-sided confidence interval 0% to 17%). The difference in frequency is highly significant (P < 0.0006).


CONCLUSIONS
The salivagram is frequently positive in those at high risk of aspiration, but frequently negative in those at low risk of aspiration. It may be a useful investigation for the demonstration of aspiration.
Baikie
Gordon
G
Department of Developmental Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia. gordon.baikie@rch.org.au
Reddihough
Dinah S
DS
South
Mike
M
Cook
David J
DJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012463:Saliva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D055815:Young Adult
D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid