Z-POEM: ¿Procedimiento ideal para el tratamiento del divertículo de Zenker? / Z-POEM: Ideal procedure for the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum?

Introducción. El divertículo de Zenker es una patología poco frecuente, caracterizada por la presencia de disfagia, halitosis, tos y pérdida de peso, que afectan la calidad de vida de los pacientes. El tratamiento es quirúrgico y las técnicas han evolucionado de forma permanente. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la mejoría de la disfagia en pacientes a quienes se les realizó la técnica de miotomía endoscópica peroral (Z-POEM). Métodos. Estudio descriptivo de una serie de 23 pacientes con divertículo de Zenker diagnosticado por endoscopia y esofagograma, tratados entre mayo de 2018 y noviembre de 2021 en diferentes instituciones de la ciudad de Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, mediante una miotomía endoscópica del cricofaríngeo con la técnica de Z-POEM. Resultados. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron adultos mayores, de sexo masculino. Los síntomas más frecuentes correspondieron a disfagia y regurgitación. El tamaño promedio del divertículo fue de tres centímetros. La estancia hospitalaria fue de un día. Un paciente presentó disfagia postoperatoria en relación con los clips y otro presentó un absceso mediastinal, el cual fue resuelto de manera endoscópica. Actualmente, todos los pacientes se encuentran asintomáticos y no han presentado recurrencia. Conclusiones. El tratamiento endoscópico mínimamente invasivo mediante la miotomía endoscópica peroral (Z-POEM) en el paciente con divertículo de Zenker es una alternativa segura y eficaz, con buenos resultados y poca morbilidad

Introduction. Zenker's diverticulum is a rare pathology characterized by the presence of dysphagia, halitosis, cough, and weight loss, which affect the patients' quality of life. The treatment is surgical and the techniques have evolved permanently. The objective of this study was to evaluate the improvement of dysphagia in patients who underwent peroral endoscopic myotomy technique (Z-POEM). Methods. Descriptive study of a series of 23 patients with Zenker's diverticulum diagnosed by endoscopy and esophagram, treated between May 2018 and November 2021 at different institutions in Bogotá, Colombia, by means of an endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy with the Z-POEM technique. Results. Most of patients were older males. The most frequent symptoms corresponded to dysphagia and regurgitation. The average size of the diverticulum was three centimeters. The hospital stay was one day. One patient presented postoperative dysphagia related to the clips and another presented a mediastinal abscess which was resolved endoscopically. Currently, all patients are asymptomatic and have not presented recurrence. Conclusions. Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment by peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM) in patients with Zenker's diverticulum is a safe and effective alternative, with good results and low morbidity

Functional Changes of the Upper Esophageal Sphincter in Gastroesophageal Reflux

Abstract Introduction The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is a muscular structure located at the transition from the pharynx to the esophagus, with the cricopharyngeal muscle as the most important component. During gastroesophageal reflux, the pressure in the UES elevates, which is apparently a protective mechanism to prevent esophagopharyngeal reflux and airway aspiration. In gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), there may be functional changes in the UES. Objective The objective of the present review was to determine UES functional changes in GERD. Data Synthesis In healthy individuals, gastroesophageal reflux causes an increase in the UES pressure. This response of the sphincter is at least partially impaired in patients with GERD. In the disease, the UES has a reduced length and decreased resting pressure. However, other publications found that in chronic gastroesophageal reflux the basal sphincter pressure increase, differences which may be consequent to the measurement method or to disease severity. The UES opening during swallowing has a smaller diameter, and the bolus transit time through the sphincter is longer. Conclusion The UES of patients with GERD does not open as expected and the bolus flow through the sphincter is longer. This behavior may be associated with dysphagia, a frequent complaint in patients with GERD.

Adequate Number of Swallows for Pharyngeal Pressure Measurement of a Subject using High-resolution Manometry

Abstract Introduction The number of pressure measurements that need to be recorded using high-resolution manometry (HRM) for the accurate evaluation of pharyngeal function is not well established. Objective The purpose of this study is to clarify the number of swallows required to obtain an accurate pharyngeal manometric profile of a person. Methods Forty healthy adults performed a dry swallow and bolus swallows using 3-, 5-, or 10 ml of water and underwent measurements using the Starlet HRM system. Each subject underwent 10 swallows for each of the four bolus volume conditions. Results The mean of up to seven measurements of maximum pre-swallow upper esophageal sphincter pressure with 10 ml of swallow was close to the mean of up to eight measurements in 95% of the subjects. Similarly, the rate of change of the average for the eighth and ninth measurements and the rate of change for the average of the ninth and tenth measurements were less than 5 %. When the other parameters were similarly measured up to the sixth measurement, no major change in the average value was observed even if more measurements were taken. Conclusion A minimum of six measurements are required, and seven swallows are sufficient for evaluating the pharyngeal manometric profile of a single person. This number of measurements can be a useful criterion when performing HRM measurements on individual subjects.

Trânsitos oral e faríngeo na pirose funcional / Oral and pharyngeal transit in functional heartburn

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with slower transit of the bolus through the pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter. Functional heartburn has similar symptoms to gastroesophageal reflux disease, however, the symptoms are not caused by reflux. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate oral and pharyngeal transit in patients with functional heartburn, with the hypothesis that, similar to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, they have changes in pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter transit time. METHODS: Oral and pharyngeal transit was evaluated by videofluoroscopy in eight women with functional heartburn, five with mild dysphagia for solid foods, and 12 female controls. Controls and patients swallowed in duplicate 5 mL and 10 mL of liquid and paste boluses. RESULTS: No difference in the oral or pharyngeal transit time was found between patients and controls. No aspiration of bolus into the airways was detected in any individual. Pharyngeal residues were detected in the same proportion of swallows, in patients (12.5%) and controls (15.0%), after swallows of 10 mL paste bolus. CONCLUSION: Oral, pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter transit time are similar in patients with functional heartburn to healthy controls.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico está associada ao trânsito mais lento do bolo deglutido pela faringe e esfíncter superior do esôfago. Pirose funcional tem sintomas similares aos de doença do refluxo gastroesofágico, entretanto eles não são consequência de refluxo. OBJETIVO: Como na pirose funcional os sintomas são semelhantes aos da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico, o objetivo desta investigação foi avaliar a duração do trânsito do bolo deglutido pela boca, faringe e esfíncter superior do esôfago em pacientes com pirose funcional, com a hipótese de que esses pacientes também apresentem alteração no trânsito. MÉTODOS: Pelo método videofluoroscópico foi avaliado o trânsito oral e faríngeo de oito pacientes do sexo feminino com pirose funcional, cinco com disfagia leve para alimentos sólidos, e 12 indivíduos controles do sexo feminino. Controles e pacientes deglutiram em duplicata 5 mL e 10 mL de bolos com a consistências líquida e pastosa. RESULTADOS: Com bolo líquido e pastoso não houve diferença na duração do trânsito oral, faríngeo e pelo esfíncter superior do esôfago entre controles e pacientes. Não houve aspiração do bolo para as vias aéreas em nenhum indivíduo. Os resíduos faríngeos foram observados na mesma proporção das deglutições em pacientes (12,5%) e controles (15%), com a deglutição de 10 mL de bolo pastoso. CONCLUSÃO: A duração do trânsito oral, faríngeo e pelo esfíncter superior do esôfago foi semelhante nos pacientes com pirose funcional e controles.

Safety and Effectiveness of Reza Band in Management of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease: A Preliminary Study / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The main treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) includes life style modification and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication. However, LPRD is sometimes refractory to PPI medication. The Reza band has been developed to exert external pressure on the upper esophageal sphincter thus preventing gastric acid reflux to the larynx and pharynx. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of using the Reza band in patients with LPRD. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We prospectively enrolled 16 LPRD patients who were refractory to PPI medication and who had agreed to wear the Reza band. Patients were treated with the Reza band and PPI medication simultaneously or only the Reza band. We studied complications related to the Reza band, analyzed Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) before and after the application of the band up to 12 weeks. RESULTS: The Reza band was endured by 15 patients except one patient. One patient (6.25%) ceased wearing the band due to pain and discomfort in the neck. No major complications occurred, except one patient who reported mild neck discomfort when the band was applied. The mean value of RSI before the application of the Reza band was 12.31±6.43, which significantly improved at 8 weeks and 12 weeks (9.17±5.08, p=0.005 and 8.20±5.59, p=0.007, respectively) post-treatment. The mean value of RFS before the application of the Reza band was 13.50±2.97, which significantly improved at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p < 0.05) post-treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the Reza band is safe and effective for the treatment of LPRD in properly selected patients.

Relationship between location of cerebral infarction and features of videofluoroscopic swallowing / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore whether the pattern of dysphagia verified using videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was associated with the Iocation of the infarction in stroke patients.Methods Ninety-two patients with dysphagia (admitted between January 2015 and August 2016) who had first onset of cerebral infarction confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were included in this study.They were divided into a unilateral brainstem group (n =29),a left hemisphere (cortex + white matter) group (n =37) and a right hemisphere (cortex + white matter) group (n=26) according to the location of the stroke.All subjects were evaluated using VFSS,and the oral transit time (OTT),triggering of pharyngeal swallowing (TPS),presence of residue in the vallecular and pyriform sinus,penetration,aspiration,cough reaction and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening were recorded and compared among the three groups.Results There were no significant differences among the three groups in OTT (X2 =0.712,P=0.918),TPS (1.564,P =0.458),penetration (X2 =5.615,P=0.060) and cough reaction (X2 =5.882,P=0.053).The unilateral brainstem group had significantly more residue in the vallecular and pyriform sinus than the left hemisphere group (X2=6.508,P=0.011).Aspiration was significantly more frequently found in the unilateral brainstem group than in the left hemisphere group (X2=7.803,P =0.005).The unilateral brainstem group was more likely to have insufficient UES opening than the left hemisphere (X2=29.555,P＜0.001) and right hemisphere groups (X2=24.630,P＜0.001).Conclusions Unilateral brainstem stroke is more likely to cause dysphagia than the unilateral cerebral hemisphere stroke,characterized by the abnormal residue in the vallecular and pyriform sinus,aspiration and the degree of UES opening.No significant differences were found in the dysphagia between stroke survivors with stroke in right and left hemispheres.

Characteristics of Cricopharyngeal Dysphagia After Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD), the frequency, and correlation with a brain lesion in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, and to provide basic data for developing a therapeutic protocol for dysphagia management. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a series of subjects post-stroke who underwent a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) from January 2009 to December 2015. VFSS images were recorded on videotape and analyzed. CPD was defined as the retention of more than 25% of residue in the pyriform sinus after swallowing. The location of the brain lesion was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Among the 262 dysphagic patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, 15 (5.7%) showed CPD on the VFSS. Patients with an infratentorial lesion had a significantly higher proportion of CPD than those with a supratentorial lesion (p=0.003), and lateral medullary infarction was identified as the single independent predictor of CPD (multivariable analysis: odds ratio=19.417; confidence interval, 5.560–67.804; p < 0.0001). Compared to patients without CPD, those with CPD had a significantly prolonged pharyngeal transit time, lower laryngeal elevation, and a higher pharyngeal constriction ratio and functional dysphagia scale score. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results support the notion that an impaired upper esopharyngeal opening is likely related to the specific locations of brain lesions. The association of CPD with lateral medullary infarction can be explained based on the regulation of the pharyngolaryngeal motor system by the motor neurons present in the dorsal nucleus ambiguus. Overall, the results reveal the relation between CPD and the problems in the pharyngeal phase as well as the severity of dysphagia.

Quantitative Analysis of Swallowing Function Between Dysphagia Patients and Healthy Subjects Using High-Resolution Manometry

OBJECTIVE: To compare swallowing function between healthy subjects and patients with pharyngeal dysphagia using high resolution manometry (HRM) and to evaluate the usefulness of HRM for detecting pharyngeal dysphagia. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with dysphagia and 28 healthy subjects were included in this study. Diagnosis of dysphagia was confirmed by a videofluoroscopy. HRM was performed to measure pressure and timing information at the velopharynx (VP), tongue base (TB), and upper esophageal sphincter (UES). HRM parameters were compared between dysphagia and healthy groups. Optimal threshold values of significant HRM parameters for dysphagia were determined. RESULTS: VP maximal pressure, TB maximal pressure, UES relaxation duration, and UES resting pressure were lower in the dysphagia group than those in healthy group. UES minimal pressure was higher in dysphagia group than in the healthy group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted to validate optimal threshold values for significant HRM parameters to identify patients with pharyngeal dysphagia. With maximal VP pressure at a threshold value of 144.0 mmHg, dysphagia was identified with 96.4% sensitivity and 74.7% specificity. With maximal TB pressure at a threshold value of 158.0 mmHg, dysphagia was identified with 96.4% sensitivity and 77.3% specificity. At a threshold value of 2.0 mmHg for UES minimal pressure, dysphagia was diagnosed at 74.7% sensitivity and 60.7% specificity. Lastly, UES relaxation duration of <0.58 seconds had 85.7% sensitivity and 65.3% specificity, and UES resting pressure of <75.0 mmHg had 89.3% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity for identifying dysphagia. CONCLUSION: We present evidence that HRM could be a useful evaluation tool for detecting pharyngeal dysphagia.

Failed Deglutitive Upper Esophageal Sphincter Relaxation Is a Risk Factor for Aspiration in Stroke Patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We attempted to examine the relationship between abnormal findings on high-resolution manometry (HRM) and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) of the pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and to identify the risk factors for aspiration. METHODS: We performed VFSS and HRM on the same day in 36 ischemic stroke patients (mean age, 67.5 years) with dysphagia. Pressure (basal, median intra bolus, and nadir), relaxation time interval of the UES, and mesopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal contractility (as a contractile integral) were examined using HRM. The parameters of VFSS were vallecular residue, pyriform sinus residue, vallecular overflow, penetration, and aspiration. The association between the parameters of VFSS and HRM was analyzed by the Student's t test. RESULTS: Three (8.3%) and 4 (11.1%) stroke patients with dysphagia had pyriform sinus residue and vallecular sinus residue, respectively, and 5 (13.8%) patients showed aspiration. Mesopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal contractile integrals in patients with residue in the pyriform sinus were significantly lower than those in patients without residue in the pyriform sinus (P < 0.05). Relaxation time intervals in patients with aspiration were significantly shorter than those in patients without aspiration (P < 0.05), and multivariate regression analysis revealed a shorter relaxation time interval as the main risk factor for aspiration (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.65; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Manometric measurements of the pharynx and UES were well correlated with abnormal findings in the VFSS, and a shorter relaxation time interval of the UES during deglutition is an important parameter for the development of aspiration.

Swallowing Function Defined by Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: a Prospective Study

This study evaluated factors related to swallowing dysfunction after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS). Preoperative and postoperative VFSSs were done with 5 mL diluted barium. Oral transit time, pharyngeal delay time, pharyngeal response time (PRT), and pharyngeal transit time were measured. Hyoid bone movement and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) diameter were measured serially. Thickness of prevertebral soft tissue was measured from digitized VFSS images. In results, 12 of 20 patients showed abnormal postoperative VFSS findings. PRT decreased significantly after surgery. Hyoid bone movement did not change significantly after surgery. The maximal distance of UES opening decreased significantly after surgery, and the higher the level of surgery (C3 > C4 > C5 > C6), the greater the decrease in maximal distance of the UES opening after surgery. The time to widest opening of the UES was prolonged significantly. At the C3 and C4 levels, the change in prevertebral soft tissue thickness of patients with VFSS abnormalities was significantly greater than those without abnormalities. In conclusion, patients after ADCF with their highest surgery level at C3 and C4 showed more abnormal VFSS findings, significantly increased soft tissue thickness, and decreased maximal distance of UES opening. VFSS provided objective data related with swallowing dysfunction after ACDF.

Effectiveness of Rehabilitative Balloon Swallowing Treatment on Upper Esophageal Sphincter Relaxation and Pharyngeal Motility for Neurogenic Dysphagia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between dysphagia severity and opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and to assess the effect of balloon size on functional improvement after rehabilitative balloon swallowing treatment in patients with severe dysphagia with cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction (CPD). METHODS: We reviewed videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Myongji Hospital from January through December in 2012. All subjects diagnosed with CPD by VFSS further swallowed a 16-Fr Foley catheter filled with barium sulfate suspension for three to five minutes. We measured the maximum diameter of the balloon that a patient could swallow into the esophagus and subsequently conducted a second VFSS. Then, we applied a statistical technique to correlate the balloon diameter with functional improvement after the balloon treatment. RESULTS: Among 283 inpatients who received VFSS, 21 subjects were diagnosed with CPD. It was observed that the degree of UES opening evaluated by swallowing a catheter balloon had inverse linear correlations with pharyngeal transit time and post-swallow pharyngeal remnant. Videofluoroscopy guided iterative balloon swallowing treatment for three to five minutes, significantly improved the swallowing ability in terms of pharyngeal transit time and pharyngeal remnant (p<0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). Correlation was seen between balloon size and reduction in pharyngeal remnants after balloon treatment (Pearson correlation coefficient R=-0.729, p<0.001), whereas there was no definite relationship between balloon size and improvement in pharyngeal transit time (R=-0.078, p=0.738). CONCLUSION: The maximum size of the balloon that a patient with CPD can swallow possibly indicates the maximum UES opening. The iterative balloon swallowing treatment is safe without the risk of aspiration, and it can be an effective technique to improve both pharyngeal motility and UES relaxation.

Improved Dysphagia After Decannulation of Tracheostomy in Patients With Brain Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To investigate improved dysphagia after the decannulation of a tracheostomy in patients with brain injuries. METHODS: The subjects of this study are patients with brain injuries who were admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Myongji Hospital and who underwent a decannulation between 2012 and 2014. A video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed in order to investigate whether the patients' dysphagia had improved. We measured the following 5 parameters: laryngeal elevation, pharyngeal transit time, post-swallow pharyngeal remnant, upper esophageal width, and semisolid aspiration. We analyzed the patients' results from VFSS performed one month before and one month after decannulation. All VFSS images were recorded using a camcorder running at 30 frames per second. An AutoCAD 2D screen was used to measure laryngeal elevation, post-swallow pharyngeal remnant, and upper esophageal width. RESULTS: In this study, a number of dysphagia symptoms improved after decannulation. Laryngeal elevation, pharyngeal transit time, and semisolid aspiration showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05), however after decannulation, the post-swallow pharyngeal remnant (pre 37.41%+/-24.80%, post 21.02%+/-11.75%; p<0.001) and upper esophageal width (pre 3.57+/-1.93 mm, post 4.53+/-2.05 mm; p<0.001) showed statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: When decannulation is performed on patients with brain injuries who do not require a ventilator and who are able to independently excrete sputum, improved esophageal dysphagia can be expected.

Effects of Head Rotation and Head Tilt on Pharyngeal Pressure Events Using High Resolution Manometry

OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in pharyngeal pressure during the swallowing process according to postures in normal individuals using high-resolution manometry (HRM). METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers drank 5 mL of water twice while sitting in a neutral posture. Thereafter, they drank the same amount of water twice in the head rotation and head tilting postures. The pressure and time during the deglutition process for each posture were measured with HRM. The data obtained for these two postures were compared with those obtained from the neutral posture. RESULTS: The maximum pressure, area, rise time, and duration in velopharynx (VP) and tongue base (TB) were not affected by changes in posture. In comparison, the maximum pressure and the pre-upper esophageal sphincter (UES) maximum pressure of the lower pharynx in the counter-catheter head rotation posture were lower than those in the neutral posture. The lower pharynx pressure in the catheter head tilting posture was higher than that in the counter-catheter head tilting. The changes in the VP peak and epiglottis, VP and TB peaks, and the VP onset and post-UES time intervals were significant in head tilting and head rotation toward the catheter postures, as compared with neutral posture. CONCLUSION: The pharyngeal pressure and time parameter analysis using HRM determined the availability of head rotation as a compensatory technique for safe swallowing. Tilting the head smoothes the progress of food by increasing the pressure in the pharynx.

Cricopharyngeal achalasia in an old dog / 대한수의학회지

A 10-year-old castrated male papillon presented with nasal discharge, coughing and chronic dysphagia. On physical examination, the dog exhibited sneezing, gurgling and movement of the throat with repeated attempts to swallow fluids. A diagnosis of cricopharyngeal achalasia (CPA) was made based on video fluoroscopic demonstration of failure of relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter. This report describes the diagnosis of CPA in an old dog, which is rarely diagnosed in older animals.