Hyoid displacement in post-treatment cancer patients: preliminary findings

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2011 Jun;54(3):813-20. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2010/10-0077). Epub 2010 Nov 24.

Abstract

Purpose: Dysphagia after head and neck cancer treatment is a health care issue; in some cases, the cause of death is not cancer but, rather, the passage of food or liquid into the lungs. Hyoid displacement is known to be important to safe swallowing function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate hyoid displacement after cancer treatment.

Method: Hyoid displacement was measured in healthy persons with normal swallowing function, head and neck cancer patients postradiation only, and head and neck cancer patients postsurgery only. Three bolus conditions (5 ml and 10 ml liquid and 5 ml paste) were examined. The influence of 2 different measurement algorithms on the extent of hyoid movement was also explored.

Results: Radiation-therapy patients in this study had greater hyoid displacement than did surgery patients. Bolus viscosity and measurement method significantly influenced displacement results, whereas bolus volume did not. However, more multiple swallows occurred with 10 ml liquid; this may account for the apparent insignificance of bolus volume.

Conclusions: These findings can be used to assist head and neck cancer treatment planning and counseling. Because hyoid measurement methods influence research conclusions, this aspect of design should be considered when interpreting research findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms
  • Deglutition / physiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hyoid Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hyoid Bone / physiology
  • Hyoid Bone / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Viscosity