Simultaneous Fluoroscopic and Manometric Measures of the Oropharyngeal Phase of Deglutition

The specific aim of this study is to validate the pharyngeal constriction ration, a
surrogate measure of pharyngeal strength on fluoroscopy by comparing it with simultaneous
pharyngeal manometry. Combined videofluoroscopic swallowing studies with pharyngeal
manometry are commonly used in the evaluation of dysphagia. However, no published study has
compared the results of simultaneous pharyngeal manometry with objective timing and
displacement measures on videofluoroscopy. These objective measures, such as the pharyngeal
constriction ratio, were developed here at UCD and are not yet routinely used by other
practitioners. A secondary aim of this study will be to corroborate recent data in the
literature suggesting that the presence of feeding tube through the upper esophageal
sphincter does not affect the oropharyngeal phase of deglutition. This topic is currently
under hot debate in the speech language pathology realm and has important implications for
the evaluation of hospitalized patients with dysphagia.

Inclusion Criteria:

- undergone pharyngeal manometry with simultaneous videofluoroscopy during the period
1/1/06 to 4/30/07

Exclusion Criteria:

- those who do not meet the inclusion criteria; pregnancy