J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.
1998 Dec;22(6):1249-1253.
Videofluoroscopic Evaluation of Dysphagia in Quadriplegic Patients
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the videofluoroscopic findings of quadriplegic patients with dysphagia and to assess the predisposing factors of dysphagia in quadriplegic patients. METHOD: Six quadriplegic patients with a dysphagia within 3 months from the injury were included in this study and videofluoroscopic evaluations for both lateral and AP views were performed and evaluated. RESULT: A variety of swallowing deficits that involve both oral and pharyngeal phases were detected in the videofluoroscopic study. The presumed predisposing factors of dysphagia were a surgical stabilization of cervial vertebrae, inadequate neck extension due to cervical orthosis, history of mechanical ventilation, cervical traction, tracheostomy state and cranial nerve injury.
CONCLUSION
When there are symptoms that suggest a swallowing problem such as a frequent reflex coughing and voice change in quadriplegic patients, videofluoroscopic study will help to prevent the pulmonary complications and to determine the successful swallowing strategies.
