Effect of head rotation on the pathway of a food bolus through the pharynx as evaluated by a videofluoroscopic swallow study

• Published in: Oral radiology Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 17 - 21
• Main Authors: Iida, Yukihiro, Katsumata, Akitoshi, Fujishita, Masami
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Springer Japan 01.06.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Dentistry; Imaging; Medicine; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Radiology; Videofluoroscopic swallow study; Deglutition disorders; Compensatory strategies
• ISSN: 0911-6028; 1613-9674
• DOI: 10.1007/s11282-010-0054-5

Purposes Head rotation is widely used as a postural technique for dysphagic patients. In this study, we evaluated the effects of head rotation on pharyngeal swallowing in healthy subjects. Methods A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) of pharyngeal swallowing was performed on subjects with the head in neutral (upright and full-faced) and rotated positions. Seventeen volunteers were given samples of liquid barium and custard pudding mixed with barium to swallow. Results VFSS findings revealed that the head-rotated swallow causes the bolus to lateralize away from the direction of head rotation. Satisfactory lateralization of the food or liquid bolus during a head-rotated swallow was observed in approximately 80% of cases with liquid barium and in 60% of those with material of pudding consistency. A spillage of bolus into the pharynx before swallow initiation occurred in only approximately 15% of cases when a subject rotated his/her head. Conclusion In this study, the effects of head rotation on pharyngeal swallowing in healthy subjects were evaluated. Results from this study suggest that the efficacy of head rotation is affected by the consistency of food and liquid materials.