How to use the videofluoroscopy swallow study in paediatric practice

In paediatric practice feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties are present in up to 1% of children. Dysphagia is any disruption to the swallow sequence that results in compromise to the safety, efficiency or adequacy of nutritional intake. Swallowing difficulties may lead to pharyngeal aspiration, respiratory compromise or poor nutritional intake. It causes sensory and motor dysfunction impacting on a child’s ability to experience normal feeding. Incoordination can result in oral pharyngeal aspiration where fluid or food is misdirected and enters the airway, or choking where food physically blocks the airway The incidence is much higher in some clinical populations, including children with neuromuscular disease, traumatic brain injury and airway malformations. The prevalence of dysphagia and aspiration-related disease is increasing secondary to the better survival of children with highly complex medical and surgical needs. This article aims to outline the indications for performing videofluoroscopy swallow (VFS). This includes the technical aspects of the study, how to interrupt a VFS report and some of the limitations to the study.

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Modifying Puree Meals in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Multi-Centre Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics6040108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 108

Author(s):

Dai Pu ◽

Yuen-Yu Choi ◽

Karen Man-Kei Chan ◽

May Man-Wai Poon

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Aged Care ◽

Nutritional Intake ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Subjective Experiences ◽

Swallowing Function ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Aged Care Facilities ◽

Swallowing Difficulties ◽

Residential Aged Care Facilities

Purees are often recommended for older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to target swallowing difficulties and nutrition. However, they lack appeal and may have negative impacts on nutritional intake. This study investigated the subjective experiences and objective swallowing function and safety of older adults in response to a modified puree. Twenty-eight residents from three RACFs whose regular diets consisted of purees were recruited. Purees were modified to improve visual appeal by adding a commercial enzyme gellant. Each participant was observed during three puree and three modified puree meals, and completed a brief questionnaire after each meal. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed with 16 of the participants. Compared to purees, modified purees were observed to be easier for oral processing and intake amount was higher, but participants required assistance more often and mealtimes were longer. Participants did not show preference for either type of puree. VFSS showed similar swallowing responses between the two puree types; however, a distinction was observed for modified pureed meat compared to other ingredients. Modifying puree meals in RACFs is a feasible approach to improve nutritional intake while maintaining swallowing safety, but their appeal to consumers is not definitive.

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Considerations in Dysphagia Management Following Esophagectomy

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig13.169 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (13) ◽

pp. 169-176

Author(s):

Lisa M. Evangelista ◽

James L. Coyle

Keyword(s):

Esophageal Cancer ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ◽

Esophageal Resection ◽

Minimally Invasive Surgical ◽

Operative Complications ◽

Swallowing Difficulties ◽

Epidemiological Impact ◽

Invasive Techniques ◽

Management Of Dysphagia

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. Esophageal resection is the mainstay treatment for cancers of the esophagus. While curative, surgical resection may result in swallowing difficulties that require intervention from speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Minimally invasive surgical procedures for esophageal resection have aimed to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with more invasive techniques. Both intra-operative and post-operative complications, regardless of the surgical approach, can result in dysphagia. This article will review the epidemiological impact of esophageal cancers, operative complications resulting in dysphagia, and clinical assessment and management of dysphagia pertinent to esophageal resection.

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Pelvic Impairments

Guides Newsletter ◽

10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2018.julaug02 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 9-10

Author(s):

James Talmage ◽

Jay Blaisdell

Keyword(s):

Pelvic Ring ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

High Impact ◽

Pelvic Fractures ◽

Motor Dysfunction ◽

Impact Event ◽

Concomitant Injuries ◽

Rating Process ◽

Pass Through ◽

A Minor

Abstract Pelvic fractures are relatively uncommon, and in workers’ compensation most pelvic fractures are the result of an acute, high-impact event such as a fall from a roof or an automobile collision. A person with osteoporosis may sustain a pelvic fracture from a lower-impact injury such as a minor fall. Further, major parts of the bladder, bowel, reproductive organs, nerves, and blood vessels pass through the pelvic ring, and traumatic pelvic fractures that result from a high-impact event often coincide with damaged organs, significant bleeding, and sensory and motor dysfunction. Following are the steps in the rating process: 1) assign the diagnosis and impairment class for the pelvis; 2) assign the functional history, physical examination, and clinical studies grade modifiers; and 3) apply the net adjustment formula. Because pelvic fractures are so uncommon, raters may be less familiar with the rating process for these types of injuries. The diagnosis-based methodology for rating pelvic fractures is consistent with the process used to rate other musculoskeletal impairments. Evaluators must base the rating on reliable data when the patient is at maximum medical impairment and must assess possible impairment from concomitant injuries.

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