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[Dysphagia] audible swallow



I am currently seeing 2 patients with this characteristic.

1.  Tonsillar cancer; s/p right rad neck dissection with chemo and 
radiation.  Had a very audible swallow (dare I use the word 'squishy' to 
describe it) with a heavier pureed consistency (i.e. tapioca)--unable to 
clear and required expectoration of the bolus.  I happened to have a repeat 
MBSS scheduled since I am doing vital stim with him, so I was able to get a 
visual.  He had a significant increase in post-swallow residue in the 
pyriforms with this consistency and because of the cricopharyngeal 
dysfunction the residue scattered all around the posterior pharyngeal wall 
and the laryngeal vestibule.  I recommended dilatation, which he just had 
done this week and treatment was resumed.  He ate a whole container of 
tapioca during treatment and that audible (squishy) swallow was eliminated. 
The gastro doc said he could not believe any food/liquid passed into the 
esophagus (but, it did when is was smooth and thinner--the more his 
pharyngeal strength improved, the more the bolus passed to the esophagus, so 
this problem was not identified until this point in tx).  Next dilatation is 
in 2 weeks.

2.  Second pt is an ACDF (C4-7) with a plate, who had pharyngeal dysphagia 
due to edema.  Now edema is resolving, but the pt is left with an audible 
('clicking') swallow only with thin liquids (inconsistent--about 75% of  the 
time).  No clinical s/s of aspiration noted and clear vocal quality.

This discussion has been very helpful and insightful in regards to these 
patient.  I only saw a MBSS on the first pt, but I felt that clinically they 
both appeared safe in terms of airway protection.  Thank you..........would 
love to hear more insight regarding this characteristic in the ACDF 
population if it is out there.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Houts, Karen L" <KHouts@stanfordmed.org>
To: <dysphagia@b9.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 1:23 PM
Subject: RE: [Dysphagia] audible swallow


I have seen some pts that have a audible galuping sort of sound, for lack of 
a better way to describe it. On the VFS the bolus was poorly controlled. 
The valleculae & especially the pyriforms were well filled before the 
swallow. This galuping sound was consistently timed with the retropulsion of 
the material in the pharynx as the swallow was initiated & the structures 
began to rise. I dont know if what we heard was the actual motion of the 
material or the air being pushed thru the material as the area is 
compressed. However each of these people had good airway protection so it 
wasnt that important. I just consider the sound a bit of a red flag that may 
or may not require any intervention depending on the rest of the picture.

                                                                             
                                         Karen Houts OTR/L-SWC

-----Original Message----- 
From: dysphagia-bounces@b9.com on behalf of M. Tervo
Sent: Tue 8/30/2005 5:19 PM
To: dysphagia@b9.com
Cc:
Subject: [Dysphagia] audible swallow



I heard at a conference that a audible swallow is a disordered swallow.  I 
have been unable to locate any info that explains the details of this...can 
anyone please explain this further?




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