The effect of bolus consistency on pharyngeal volume during swallowing: Kinematic analysis in three dimensions using dynamic Area Detector CT

Yuriko Ito, Yoko Inamoto, Eiichi Saitoh, Keiko Aihara, Seiko Shibata, Yoichiro Aoyagi, Hitoshi Kagaya, Jeffrey B. Palmer, Marlis Gonzalez-Fernandez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effects of bolus consistency on pharyngeal volume during swallowing using three-dimensional kinematic analysis. Methods: Eight subjects (2 males and 6 females, mean ± SD 44 ± 10 years old) underwent a 320-row area detector scan during swallows of 10 mL of honey-thick liquid and thin liquid. Critical event timing (hyoid, soft palate, UES) and volume of pharyngeal cavity and bolus were measured and compared between two swallows. Results: The pharynx is almost completely obliterated by pharyngeal constriction against the tongue base for both consistencies. There were no significant differences in maximum volume, minimum volume and pharyngeal volume constriction ratio values between thick and thin liquids. However, the pattern of pharyngeal volume change (decrease) was different. For thick liquids, the air volume started to decrease before the onset of hyoid anterosuperior movement and decreased rapidly after onset of hyoid anterosuperior movement. During thin liquid swallowing, air volume remained relatively large throughout the swallow and started to decrease later when compared to swallowing thick liquids. At onset of UES opening, the bolus volume was not significantly different between thin and thick liquids; however, air volume was significantly larger when swallowing thin liquids, which made the total volume of the pharyngeal cavity larger. Conclusion: This difference between the two consistencies is associated with differences in tongue motion to propel the bolus and clear the pharynx from possible residue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1287-1296
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Oral Rehabilitation
Volume47
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2020

Keywords

  • deglutition
  • deglutition disorders
  • multidetector computed tomography
  • pharynx
  • upper oesophageal sphincter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry

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