Breathing-Swallowing discoordination after definitive chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers is associated with aspiration pneumonia.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Swallowing dysfunction and the risk of aspiration pneumonia are frequent clinical problems in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Breathing-swallowing coordination is an important factor in evaluating the risk of aspiration pneumonia. To investigate breathing-swallowing discoordination after chemoradiotherapy (CRT), we monitored respiration and swallowing activity before and after CRT in patients with HNSCCs.

Methods

Non-invasive swallowing monitoring was prospectively performed in 25 patients with HNSCCs treated with CRT and grade 1 or lower radiation-induced dermatitis. Videoendoscopy, videofluoroscopy, Food Intake LEVEL Scale, and patient-reported swallowing difficulties were assessed.

Results

Of the 25 patients selected for th

SUBMITTER: Yoshida T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11238977 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature