Evaluation of the swallowing function in patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

The pathological condition of dysphagia in Parkinson's disease patients is not yet clear. A video fluorogram of the pharynx was taken in 16 patients with Parkinson's disease to examine the swallowing motion of the oral stage and the pharyngeal stage. Smooth tongue movement and an influx to pharynx were significantly obstructed with respect to the stage and duration of the disease, resulting in a disturbance of synchronization between the oral and pharyngeal phases. A residue at the piriform sinus and a misdirection to the larynx increased with an extended duration of the disease.