Noninvasive Bolus Transit Detection in Cervical Esophagus Utilizing Ultrasound Characteristics

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery Vol. 171; no. 3; p. 919
• Main Authors: Wilcox, Andrew S, Jackson, William D, Heller-Stark, Amanda C, Lanza, Elizabeth L, Ellerston, Julia K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Deglutition - physiology; Deglutition Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Deglutition Disorders - physiopathology; Esophagus - diagnostic imaging; Esophagus - physiopathology; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Ultrasonography; swallow; chronic cough; noninvasive; laryngopharyngeal reflux; dysphagia; A‐mode; postnasal drip; ultrasound; LPR; globus sensation
• ISSN: 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1002/ohn.746

This pilot study aims to identify characteristic A-mode ultrasound features relevant to noninvasive detection of esophageal bolus transit in the proximal esophagus. Ultrasound signals at a lateral neck site were obtained via a single-element ultrasonic transducer with synchronous videofluoroscopic swallowing studies images of swallows of differing viscosities in 21 adult dysphagia outpatients. Characteristic ultrasound features were extracted to differentiate a bolus-filled from a collapsed esophagus. From 21 subjects, 412 swallows exhibited 4 reproducible waveform patterns associated with bolus transit as displayed in a heatmap: (1) Strong Reflectors; (2) Echo Shifts; (3) Distal Acoustic Enhancement; and (4) Speckling: One or more of these features were observed in the swallow series for all 21 subjects. Distinct acoustic waveform features acquired by single-element ultrasonic transducers can identify bolus transit through the cervical esophagus.