The importance of the quantification of hyoid displacement in the evaluation of the score and evolution of oropharyngeal dysphagia

• Published in: Acta otorrinolaringológica española (English) Vol. 70; no. 6; pp. 327 - 335
• Main Authors: Garmendia Merino, Gemma, Bascuñana Ambrós, Helena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Injuries - complications; Deglutition - physiology; Deglutition Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Deglutition Disorders - physiopathology; Deglutition Disorders - therapy; Female; Fluoroscopy - methods; Humans; Hyoid Bone - diagnostic imaging; Hyoid Bone - physiopathology; Intraoperative Complications - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Movement; Pharyngeal Muscles - physiopathology; Radiation Injuries - physiopathology; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke - complications; Ultrasonography; Qualitative scales; Desplazamiento hioideo; Penetration; Aspiration; Aspiración; Penetración; Escalas cualitativas; Hyoid displacement
• ISSN: 2173-5735; 2173-5735
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otoeng.2018.08.002

The objective of this paper was to show our experience and considerations when quantifying hyoid bone displacement and to observe its correlation with the qualitative scales that evaluate dysphagia. Hyoid displacement was assessed using the method described by Molfenter and Steele's group in 2014 in a series of 14 patients affected by oropharyngeal dysphagia. The degree of dysphagia was also qualitatively assessed with the Rosenbek Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) of 1996 and with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) of Crary of 2005. All assessments were done before and after treatment. All patients increased their hyoid bone total displacement after the treatment. These variations were highly correlated with the variations in the PAS scale with aspiration or penetration. However, the variations of hyoid bone displacement did not correlate with the FOIS scale. The improvement in total hyoid bone displacement is a clinical indicator of improved aspiration of patients suffering dysphagia. However, the improvement of this displacement is not related to the oral intake tolerance of the patients.