Keiko Onogi, MD, PhD, Eiichi Saitoh, MD, DMSc, Izumi Kondo, MD, PhD,
Megumi Ozeki, MD, PhD, Hitoshi Kagaya, MD, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 5: 87-92, 2014
Purpose: To determine the immediate effectiveness of
balloon dilatation therapy for patients with dysphagia
due to cricopharyngeal dysfunction on videofluoroscopy
(VFSS).
Methods: The subjects were 11 consecutively recruited
patients with central nervous system disease who were
suspected of having upper esophageal sphincter (UES)
insufficiency based on the presence of a large amount of
residue in the pharynx on VFSS. The amount of residue
and the occipitofrontal diameter of the UES were
measured before and after dilatation.
Results: The mean amount of pharyngeal residue was
significantly smaller after than before dilatation.
However, no significant difference was seen in the
occipitofrontal diameter of the upper esophagus after
dilatation. When the subjects’ brain lesions were
divided into brainstem and supratentorial lesions, the
pharyngeal residue was significantly lower in patients
with supratentorial lesions than in those with brainstem
lesions.
Conclusion: Balloon dilatation therapy immediately
decreases the amount of pharyngeal residue in patients
with dysphagia due to cricopharyngeal dysfunction.
Key words: balloon dilatation therapy, cricopharyngeal muscle, dysphagia