Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology and standard settings for ultrasound study of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) during swallowing.
Method: This was a prospective study of 25 healthy volunteers. Neck ultrasonography was performed as each volunteer swallowed 10 mL of water. The parameters studied were: diameter, anterior and lateral displacement of UES duration of UES, opening and UES displacement. Student’s t tests were applied for the statistical analysis.
Results: The mean diameter of the closed UES was 0.78 ± 0.13 cm, while the mean duration of opening was 415 ± 57.66 ms, and the mean duration of displacement was 937 ± 120.98 ms. Maximum anterior and lateral displacement of the UES was 0.42 ± 0.12 cm and 0.35 ± 0.18 cm, respectively. There was a significant difference between men and women for lateral displacement of the UES (P = .04).
Conclusion: This study established standards for ultrasound study of the UES during swallowing, using a non-invasive readily accessible method that may be useful for assessing swallowing disorders involving the UES (Zenker’s diverticulum, fibrosis, stricture).
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