The use of the Gaussian curve fitting method for scintigraphic measurements of the swallowing process in healthy subjects: implications for evaluation of dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of scintigraphic evaluation, using the Gaussian curve fitting method, via 3 parameters of oropharyngeal swallow: (1) pharyngeal transit time, (2) premature pharyngeal entry, and (3) postswallow pharyngeal stasis while ingesting liquid. DESIGN: A descriptive study. SETTING: A rehabilitation hospital affiliated with a medical university. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen healthy subjects. INTERVENTION: All 18 subjects received scintigraphic swallow examination to evaluate dynamic swallow process of 5 mL of liquid. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Gaussian curve fitting method was used to calculate the pharyngeal transit time, premature pharyngeal entry, and postswallow pharyngeal stasis. RESULTS: The mean pharyngeal transit time was .71 seconds. The maximal percentage of premature pharyngeal entry was 3%. The maximal percentage of postswallow pharyngeal stasis was 9%. CONCLUSIONS: The Gaussian curve fitting can be used as an objective and time-saving method to calculate the parameters in scintigraphic swallowing examination. Our results approximate other researchers' reports.