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[Dysphagia] traumatic fall and tongue mobility



In my experience, I would vote for long intubation and traching. Intubation 
of just 3 days has been known as an indicator of dysphagia.
JoAnn
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <naomislp@aol.com>
To: <dysphagia@b9.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 11:01 AM
Subject: [Dysphagia] traumatic fall and tongue mobility


> Hello all,
> Recently saw a young patient s/p 3-story fall, currently on trach collar 
> and s/p PEG placement. There were multiple fractures but no documented 
> head trauma or fractures around skull or face. Oral motor function is 
> intact except for what seems to be isolated but significantly impaired 
> lingual mobility and strength.  This has resolved slightly, with better 
> range of motion at tongue tip and front but poorer movement mid-back and 
> likely poorest movement at base, given poor swallow function and gross 
> aspiration on single trial puree during bedside eval.  He was initially 
> aphonic (despite cuff deflation, trach occlusion) but vocal function is 
> gradually improving.
> What could be causing the isolated impairment of tongue function - is this 
> cranial nerve damage? Would that also explain initially poor laryngeal 
> function (or is that more likely due to period of intubation prior to 
> trach and/or presence of trach currently?)
> He seems to be responding to traditional OM exs - any other suggestions?
> Thanks in advance,
> Naomi
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