Dysphagia
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There has been renewed interest in the use of manometry of the pharyngoesophageal segment in the investigation of pharyngeal dysphagia. Advances in technology have alleviated previous difficulties presented by factors such as the rapid response rate of the striated muscle and asymmetry of the upper esophageal sphincter. ⋯ There are also increasing numbers of reports in the literature of manometric studies in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. This technique provides information on pressure changes and augments that information obtained from a barium swallow.
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Due to limitations in available technology it has been difficult to obtain data on upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and pharyngeal (P) function under varying physiologic conditions. We used a manometry system with solid-state intraluminal transducers, including a circumferential sphincter transducer, and computer analysis to measure pressure changes in UES and P during wet (5 ml H2O) swallows as the head was moved through a 75 degree arc in nine normal volunteers. UES residual pressure increased markedly and duration of UES relaxation decreased with increasing head extension. ⋯ There were no changes in either pharyngeal peak pressures or the duration of the pharyngeal contraction. Head extension produces major changes in UES relaxation and UES/P coordination. These effects may be clinically important when feeding neurologically impaired patients.
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Two ligament systems of the larynx are demonstrated by dissection. The suspensory ligament of the esophagus is attached to the posterior aspect of the cricoid cartilage and is also a part of the fascial sheath which is common to the hyoid, thyroid, and cricoid. The ligaments at the inner margins of the vocal, ventricular, and aryepiglottic folds are distinctive in site and, inferentially, in function. ⋯ These esophageal displacements resemble, in effect, the swallow displacements of the pharyngoesophageal segment and of the constrictor wall of the hypopharynx. The marginal ligaments of the laryngeal folds help to implement the constriction and closure of the larynx during swallow. By anatomical inference, the corniculopharyngeal ligament effects vertical traction within the flexible tissues of the anterior wall of the hypopharynx.
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Fifty-one patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) underwent videofluoroscopy during barium swallow to evaluate the incidence of oropharyngeal deglutition abnormalities and to correlate the radiologic patterns of esophageal motility abnormalities with patients' clinical features. Thirteen patients (26%) showed swallowing dysfunction, (e.g., oral leakage, retention, penetration, mild or moderate aspiration, and upper esophageal sphincter incoordination). These dysfunctions were more severe in patients with prominent esophageal dysmotility. ⋯ The esophageal phase of swallowing was abnormal in 80% of the patients with scleroderma. Esophageal dysfunction, therefore, seems to be frequent in the early stages of the disease. However, patients with advanced or extensive disease may have normal esophageal function.