title: Comparison between clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing in children with suspected dysphagia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the accuracy of clinical evaluation compared with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies in the detection of isolated laryngeal penetration and laryngeal aspiration in children with suspected dysphagia; to identify clinical signs and symptoms associated with isolated laryngeal penetration and laryngeal aspiration; and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the clinical signs and symptoms identified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of data from clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluations carried out in 55 children from 1 month to 7 years and 11 months old. For clinical assessment, the Protocol for Clinical Assessment of Pediatric Dysphagia was used. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of clinical evaluation were analyzed. For statistical analysis, the Fisher's exact and χ2 tests were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical evaluation showed, in general, a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 32%. For isolated laryngeal penetration, clinical evaluation showed a sensitivity of 88%. For laryngeal aspiration, clinical evaluation showed a sensitivity of 86%. However, the specificity values were low for both alterations. There was no association between clinical evaluation and videofluoroscopic findings. Choking was the only clinical sign associated with isolated laryngeal penetration thin fluid and showed a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 77%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical evaluation was sensible to detect isolated laryngeal penetration and laryngeal aspiration in children with suspected dysphagia. However, it showed a low specificity. Choking was the only clinical sign associated with isolated laryngeal penetration of thin fluid. More prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings in this population.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lenice de Fatima da
authors.initials: Lde F
authors.lastname: Silva-Munhoz
authors.affiliation: School Hospital, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina Elena Bernardis
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Bühler
authors.affiliation: Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suelly Cecilia Olivan
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Limongi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007830:Larynx; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014741:Video Recording