INTRODUCTION Swallowing disorders are common in the elderly but its prevalence is often underestimated. They can result in increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS This article summarises the findings of selected published papers in major international journals indexed on Medline on swallowing using the key words--swallowing, dysphagia, aged, geriatrics and deglutition. RESULTS There are ...

OBJECTIVE To define the site-specific swallowing dysfunctions of patients with head and neck cancer with respect to tumor site and stage by, videofluoroscopic oropharyngeal motility (OPM) study prior to initiation of treatment. DESIGN Retrospective survey. SETTING Academic university institution. PATIENTS A consecutive sample of 79 patients with stage III or IV head and neck cancer withou...

The effect of food consistency on swallowing function has been widely studied, and it is well recognized that by delaying the flow of the food bolus, thickened liquids can help in the management of swallowing dysfunction. However, fewer studies have been carried out on the impact of food sensory properties and related liking on swallowing function. This paper reviews the role of taste, olfactio...

BACKGROUND Most patients with post-stroke dysphagia are also affected by facial dysfunction in all four facial quadrants. Intraoral stimulation can successfully treat post-stroke dysphagia, but its effect on post-stroke facial dysfunction remains unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate whether intraoral stimulation after stroke has simultaneous effects on facial dysfunction in the ...

Dra. Rosana Herminia Scola – Serviço de Doenças Neuromusculares / Hospital de Clínicas da UFPR – Rua General Carneiro 181 / 3o andar 80060-900 Curitiba PR – Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant peripheral neuropathy characterized by recurrent episodes of paralysis of peripheral nerves, usually after a minor tra...

BACKGROUND Adequate upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) opening is critical to safe and efficient swallowing due to the close proximity of the UOS to the airway entrance. Many people with neurological conditions, progressive and non-progressive, present with UOS dysfunction. The consequences for the person include difficulty swallowing food with subsequent choking and aspiration (passage of mater...

Dysphagia due to cricopharyngeal dysfunction is well known; however, there have been no previous data indicating an association between cricopharyngeal dysfunction and COPD. After observing marked cricopharyngeal dysfunction with aspiration in three patients who had frequent and severe exacerbations of COPD, we performed pharyngoesophageal examinations with videotaping in another 22 nonrandomiz...