Open AccessHyoid Movement as a Predictor of Aspiration in Patients with Dysphagia
Author(s) -
Yasmeh Siamak,
Arjomandi Hamid,
Funamura Jamie L.,
Sinha Uttam K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a52
Subject(s) - dysphagia , medicine , hyoid bone , swallowing , bolus (digestion) , surgery
Objective 1) Quantify the differences in hyoid movement in elderly patients with and without aspiration. 2) Determine whether reduced hyoid displacement is a significant predictor of aspiration in patients with dysphagia. Method Data on hyoid displacement and aspiration was collected from pre‐existing modified barium swallow (MBS) studies at USC University Hospital from the past 5 years. Patient studies were selected on the basis of bolus volume (5 and 10 mL), age (>60 years), and dysphagia symptoms at the time of the study. Results Studies were grouped by absence of aspiration on MBS, bolus volume, sex, and complaint of dysphagia as documented in their medical records at the time of the study. Preliminary results show that patients without aspiration or penetration (n = 2) achieved a mean hyoid displacement of 2.05 cm, whereas patients with aspiration or penetration (n = 5) achieved a hyoid displacement of only 1.53 cm. Conclusion Based on preliminary results, it appears that hyoid movement may accurately predict patients who are at high risk of aspiration and may serve as a parameter for treatment goals in these patients. However, greater sample size and establishment of controls are needed to further validate these findings.