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Published in:

01-10-2006

Assessment of Swallowing by Oropharyngoesophageal Scintigraphy in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Authors: Bruno Fattori, MD, Mariano Grosso, MD, Paolo Bongioanni, MD, PhD, Andrea Nacci, MD, Renza Cristofani, PhD, Abedallatif AlSharif, MD, Rosaria Licitra, MD, Fabio Matteucci, MD, Bruno Rossi, MD, Domenico Rubello, MD, Francesco Ursino, MD, Giuliano Mariani, MD

Published in: Dysphagia | Issue 4/2006

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common degenerative motor neuron disease in adults, and dysphagia is one of its most frequent and disabling symptoms. Oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy (OPES) permits a functional and semiquantitative study of the various stages of swallowing. We studied 28 ALS patients (12 females and 16 males; mean age = 63.57 ± 10.39 yr SD), who were clinically rated against the ALSFRS scale (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functioning Rating Scale) and underwent OPES with ^99mTc-nanocolloid using either a liquid or a semisolid bolus. The semiquantitative parameters we analyzed were Oral Transit Time (OTT), Pharyngeal Transit Time (PTT), Esophageal Transit Time (ETT), Retention Index (RI), and Esophageal Emptying Rate (EER_10s). Hence, the OPES performed with a semisolid bolus produced a higher proportion of pathologic values for the swallowing variables than when liquid bolus was used. Analyzed by grouping the patients into classes according to their bulbar ALSFRS scores, we found a significant increase in the OTT (p < 0.005), PTT (p < 0.02), and Oropharyngeal Retention Index (OPRI) (p < 0.0004) variables in ALS patients with more severe bulbar involvement. OPES has turned out to be a very important examination for detecting tracheal-bronchial inhalation and it also offers the possibility of acquiring a semiquantitative evaluation of the amount of food inhaled. In our experience, OPES in patients with ALS has been easy to use, economic, well tolerated, and capable of supplying precise indications with regard to the extent of the swallowing disorder, which permits a better clinical definition of the ALS patient.

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Title: Assessment of Swallowing by Oropharyngoesophageal Scintigraphy in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Bruno Fattori, MD
Mariano Grosso, MD
Paolo Bongioanni, MD, PhD
Andrea Nacci, MD
Renza Cristofani, PhD
Abedallatif AlSharif, MD
Rosaria Licitra, MD
Fabio Matteucci, MD
Bruno Rossi, MD
Domenico Rubello, MD
Francesco Ursino, MD
Giuliano Mariani, MD
Publication date: 01-10-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Dysphagia / Issue 4/2006
Print ISSN: 0179-051X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0460
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9052-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Assessment of Swallowing by Oropharyngoesophageal Scintigraphy in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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