抄録
[Background] Videoendoscopic evaluation reveals age- and disease-related decline in swallowing function. We assessed the relation of neck circumference and platysma bands to laryngeal penetration, observed during videoendoscopy, among older Japanese patients with suspected dysphagia.
[Methods] Sixty-seven patients with suspected dysphagia were evaluated. Platysma bands were scored (0 to 3 points) according to their thickness and length. The relations between mean neck circumference and platysma bands to laryngeal penetration were analyzed using Student’s t-test and Cochran‒Armitage test, respectively.
[Results] Groups with and without laryngeal penetration showed no significant intergroup differences in terms of age or body mass index (BMI). However, the group with low platysma band scores included more patients with laryngeal penetration（p< 0.001). A between group comparison of platysma bands, categorized by a BMI threshold of 21.5 kg/m2, suggested that the difference, after adjustment, was significant for patients with BMI < 21.5 kg/m2（p<0.001). [Conclusions] The neck sail sign refers to the appearance of platysma bands. Subsequent thinning or loss of platysma bands in older individuals with suspected dysphagia is associated with laryngeal penetration and may indicate the risk of dysphagia.
