title: Computed tomography pulmonary findings in healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In previous studies, we consistently found that approximately 30% of asymptomatic healthy older adults silently aspirated liquids during a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and that their aspiration status was stable for the following year. However, no studies have systematically evaluated effects of silent aspiration on lung parenchyma and airways. We used computed tomography (CT) to compare lungs of healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators. We hypothesized that CT images would show pulmonary differences in healthy older adult aspirators versus nonaspirators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty healthy older adults (25 aspirators and 25 nonaspirators) who participated in a previous FEES were randomly selected. CT scans were performed; on inspiration, lung views were taken at 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm windows, and on expiration, lung views were taken at 2.5 mm. CT scans were reviewed by radiologists blinded to group assignment. Outcomes included bronchiectasis, bronchiolectasis, bronchial wall thickening, parenchymal band, fibrosis, air trapping, intraluminal airway debris, and tree-in-bud pattern.
  
  
  RESULTS
  χ(2) analyses between aspirators and nonaspirators found no statistically significant differences between aspirators and nonaspirators for any outcomes (P > .05). Logistic regression analyses adjusted for smoking did not change the results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no differences in pulmonary CT findings between healthy older adult aspirators and nonaspirators. This study adds to the evidence that some aspiration may be within the range of normal for older adults, or at least does not contribute to a change in pulmonary appearance on CT images.
  
  
  METHODS
  3b.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Hollins
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Scott G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Baginski
authors.forename: J Tee
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lintzenich
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Leng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063466:Respiratory Aspiration of Gastric Contents / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Aspiration; computed tomography; pulmonary; swallowing