Abstract
Background
The pharyngeal constriction ratio is a ratio of pharyngeal area measured in lateral fluoroscopic view at the point of maximum pharyngeal constriction during the swallow to the pharyngeal area measured with the bolus held in the oral cavity. We hypothesize that the PCR may represent a surrogate measure of pharyngeal strength.
Objective
To investigate the relationship between the PCR and aspiration.
Study Design and Setting
Data from a computerized clinical database of individuals undergoing a videofluoroscopic swallow evaluation at a tertiary academic swallowing center was acquired.
Results
Two hundred sixty videofluoroscopic studies were abstracted. The mean PCR was 0.32 (± 0.02) for individuals who aspirated and 0.20 (± 0.02) for individuals who did not (P < 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the PCR was significantly associated with the prevalence of aspiration (P < 0.01). Individuals with a PCR greater than 0.25 were 3 times more likely to aspirate (95% CI = 1.7, 5.1).
Conclusions
The pharyngeal constriction ratio is associated with the presence of aspiration on fluoroscopy. Before the PCR can be used as a surrogate measure of pharyngeal constriction, correlation with pharyngeal manometry will be necessary.
Significance
The pharyngeal constriction ratio is associated with the presence of aspiration on fluoroscopy.
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