Quantification of swallowing movements by ultrasound imaging in normal and disordered subjects

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging may be useful for tracking oral-pharyngeal structures of the vocal tract critical for effective swallowing, but use of this technology has been hampered by a lack of validation against standard clinical measures derived from x-ray video fluoroscopy (Modified Barium Swallow Studies or MBSS). Here, we compare quantitative tracking of hyoid bone and tongue motion from ultrasound imaging and simultaneously measured MBSS from a range of participants with disordered and healthy swallowing behavior. The proximal edge of the hyoid bone in MBSS and ultrasound recordings is tracked using CASM (Computational Analysis of Swallowing Mechanics) software, while tongue motion is tracked using TonguePART software, originally developed for analysis of speech. Hyoid trajectories and velocities measured from synchronized ultrasound and MBSS recordings are compared and standard deviations of differences between the two measurements are evaluated. Tongue motion during swallowing is characterized by analysis of root, dorsum, and blade displacement, velocity, and timingas well as tongue base retraction in the pharynx. Preliminary findings show quantitatively similar patterns in ultrasound and MBSS, suggesting that ultrasound has potential utility as an accessible tool for bedside diagnosis and biofeedback. Characteristic patterns separating normal from healthy swallowing, as well as potential therapeutic targets for biofeedback treatment of dysphagia, will be discussed.

Assessing Swallowing Dysfunction Aggravation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Using Ultrasonic Measurements With Swallowing Movement Parameters

“…10 Studies have pointed out that without timely intervention, COPD patients with swallowing dysfunction may suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration, misaspiration, pneumonia, and asphyxia, which will not only affect the patients' health but also increase the social and economic burden. 11 Therefore, evaluating the severity of swallowing dysfunction in patients with COPD is important for its early prevention and treatment. Rocha et al 12 quantitatively analyzed the tongue propulsion time and hyoid bone maximum displacement during pharyngeal swallowing in healthy adults, and qualitatively analyzed the specific process of pharyngeal swallowing.…”