ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We investigated the association of abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing with symptoms of dysphagia and painful swallowing in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: Seventeen patients, two with HIV and 15 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with symptoms of dysphagia or pain on swallowing for routine barium esophagograms were studied prospectively by videofluoroscopic examination of the oropharynx in addition to a routine biphasic esophagogram. The videofluoroscopic studies were performed in conjunction with a speech pathologist. RESULTS: All 17 patients demonstrated abnormalities in the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal phase of swallowing. Eight patients aspirated, six of whom did not exhibit a cough reflex and were classified as silent aspirators. Seven of the eight patients who aspirated had chest radiographs consistent with aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSION: A significant number of HIV-positive and AIDS patients with dysphagia or pain on swallowing have dysfunction of the swallowing mechanism and are at risk for aspiration.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Deglutition Disorders/diagnostic imaging , Fluoroscopy/methods , HIV Infections/complications , Video Recording , Deglutition/physiology , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Humans , Oropharynx/physiopathology , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
There have been few reports documenting primary myxopapillary ependymomas in the sacrococcygeal region that result in extensive involvement of the sacrum. We present a 21-year-old man whose CT and MR findings showed massive bony destruction of the sacrum and a large lobulated soft tissue mass. Myxopapillary ependymoma should be included along with giant cell tumor, chordoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst in the differential diagnosis of a destructive osteolytic sacral lesion.