Abstract
Introduction: A videoendoscopic swallowing study (VESS) is relatively less invasive and it has the advantages of portability and is also easy to perform in terms of bedside availability. However, some disadvantages are also associated with this modality, such as the inability to observe the pharynx during contraction. In the present study, we synchronized VESS with swallowing manometry (mano-videoendoscopy MVE), and then quantitatively evaluated the swallowing pressure during pharyngeal contraction. Subjects: Eight patients with dysphagia. Methods: All patients underwent both MVE and videofluorography (VF) for the evaluation of dysphagia. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects in the study. MVE was performed with a nasally inserted catheter, OD 2.3mm with 3 pressure sensors. The sensors were kept at the tongue base, hypopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The endoscopic view of the pharynx and pressure waveforms were simultaneously recorded in a computer. We compared the findings between MVE and VF regarding pharynegeal contraction and UES opening. Results: The findings of pharyngeal contraction and UES opening during swallowing showed a close correlation between both instrumental tests. Conclusion: MVE is considered to be a useful swallowing test, because we can observe the quantitative pharyngeal contraction and UES relaxationwhile we can also obtain an endoscopic view of the pharynx. The advantages of MVE in comparison to VF is no need to expose the patients to radiation and the possibility to obtain a detailed study of the swallowing functions with bedside availability.
