Impact of tongue base and posterior pharyngeal wall biomechanics on pharyngeal clearance in irradiated postsurgical oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. Head Neck 2000 Mar;22(2):120-31
Date
02/19/2000Pubmed ID
10679899DOI
10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(200003)22:2<120::aid-hed3>3.0.co;2-uScopus ID
2-s2.0-0033952932 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 92 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Postsurgical oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients may experience pharyngeal clearance problems after completion of postoperative radiotherapy.
METHODS: Swallowing was examined in six patients using videofluoroscopy for up to 1 year after surgery. Biomechanical analysis was used to mark movement of the tongue base and posterior pharyngeal wall during swallowing.
RESULTS: The majority of patients experienced increased problems with pharyngeal clearance at or after their 6 month posthealing evaluation, generally 18 to 22 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. Pharyngeal residue was associated with a disruption in either tongue base or posterior pharyngeal wall movement.
CONCLUSIONS: Increased fibrosis of the pharyngeal musculature after completion of radiotherapy may have a negative impact on pharyngeal clearance in addition to any pharyngeal clearance problems resulting from surgical resection. Tongue base to posterior pharyngeal wall contact is essential but not sufficient for effective pharyngeal clearance. Sufficient duration of tongue base to posterior pharyngeal wall contact is also needed to provide adequate pharyngeal bolus driving pressure.
Author List
Pauloski BR, Logemann JAAuthor
Barbara R. Pauloski PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedBiomechanical Phenomena
Combined Modality Therapy
Deglutition
Female
Fluoroscopy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mouth Neoplasms
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms
Pharynx
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
Tongue
Video Recording
