Keywords
stroke - deglutition disorders - ischemic attack - transient.
Introduction
It is estimated that vascular accident (CVA) is responsible for approximately 10%
of all deaths worldwide, with almost 6 million deaths mostly concentrated in poor
countries[1].
In practice, speech pathologists work with various neurological diseases that cause
changes in swallowing. These changes, called dysphagia, can lead to the patient's
death because they lead to malnutrition, dehydration, tracheal aspiration, and recurrent
pneumonia[2]
[3]. The speech pathologist deals specifically with oropharyngeal dysphagia, disorders
affecting the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder with symptoms that are characterized by specific
changes at any step and/or between the stages of swallowing dynamics, and can be congenital
or acquired[2]
[3]
[4]
[5].
A follow-up of oropharyngeal dysphagia is absolutely necessary to the clinical evaluation
procedure, and is carried out with videofluoroscopic assessment instruments and/or
swallowing nasolaryngofibroscopy.
In the literature, the incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in stroke patients ranges
20–90%[6]
[7]
[8]. Some studies have correlated the location of stroke, i.e., cortical and brainstem[9], and brainstem and supratentorial[10], with the presence of dysphagia, while others have not[8]
[11]. The exact location of the stroke determines the extent of injury and neurological
symptoms presented by each patient[12].
Identifying the location of the stroke with assistance from an audiologist will enable
a more accurate pre-diagnosis of dysphagia and assist in evaluation and speech therapy
to ensure treatment appropriate to each patient.
Thus, the objective of this study was to correlate the type and location of stroke
in adult patients with dysphagia.
Method
The sample population comprised 30 patients affected by stroke confirmed by computed
tomography, of which 18 (60.0%) were female and 12 (40.0%) were male. The patients'
ages ranged 30–86 years, and the mean age and standard deviation was 60.6 (15.0) years.
Patients were divided into groups based on the location of the injury: cerebral cortex,
cerebellar cortex, and subcortical areas, and the type of stroke: hemorrhagic or transient
ischemic. [Chart 1] details the distribution of the sample population in relation to the location and
type of injury based on the variables age and sex.
Chart 1.
Distribution of location and type of injury in relation to age and sex.
|
30–49 Years
|
49–69 Years
|
More than 69 years
|
Total
|
|
F
|
M
|
F
|
M
|
F
|
M
|
|
Location of Injury
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
−
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
−
|
10
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Total
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
20
|
|
Type of Injury
|
|
Hemorrhagic
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
2
|
|
Ischemic
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
6
|
4
|
1
|
18
|
|
Transitional
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
10
|
|
Total
|
3
|
3
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
2
|
30
|
Source: The author. Note: F = female, M = male.
The Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital de Clinicas, Federal University of Paraná
(HC-UFPR), approved this study under No. 2169.064/2010-03. Subjects signed a consent
form with the knowledge of the objectives, procedures, and responsibilities, as well
as receiving answers to any questions regarding the survey.
Patients were evaluated within 48 hours of diagnosis of stroke and were responsive
to the examination. Exclusion criteria were patients undergoing head and neck surgery
or who had a previous diagnosis of structural abnormalities of the oropharyngolaryngeal
tract, Glasgow Coma Scale level of consciousness[13] equal to or less than 11, and clinically unstable.
The research proceeded in 2 stages consisting of functional and clinical assessments
of swallowing nasolaryngofibroscopy.
In accordance with the data collection protocol, the first stage involved clinical
evaluation in the institution. The subjects were observed for clinical signs of aspiration:
cough, shortness of breath, and “wet” voice[14], and we evaluated their uptake of food, lip seal, preparation of the cake, subsequent
extraoral exhaust, waste in the oral cavity, reflection cough, and hoarseness. For
this assessment, subjects were offered 3 swallows: free drink, 10 mL, and 5 mL, for
each food consistency (liquid, nectar, honey, and pudding) according to the standard
ADA[15], with no interval between them. For solid food bites, the subjects were offered
free saltine crackers. After clinical evaluation of swallowing function was applied
to the Functional Food Scale: Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS®)[16], where we assessed the level of acceptance of food, which ranged from level 1 (unable
to receive oral diet) to level 7 (orally without restrictions), we carried out nasolaryngofibroscopy
evaluation of swallowing (FEES®)[17].
FEES®
[17] was carried out according to the data protocol used in the institution. The offered
consistencies followed the same methodology and standard ADA[15] used in the functional assessment of swallowing, with the addition of the inorganic
dye aniline blue to contrast with the pinkish color of the mucosa.
The data collected during FEES®
[17] were tested by touch laryngeal sensitivity of distal fiberoptic vocal folds, arytenoid
cartilage, and vestibular folds, allowing observation of the occurrence of glottal
adduction and cough reflex, which was noted as present (normal or decreased) or absent.
We observed the presence of exhaust intraoral posterior pharyngeal residue in the
posterior pharyngeal wall, epiglottic valleculae, pyriform recess, pharyngeal clearance
(number of swallows to clear), and laryngeal penetration or tracheal aspiration (with
or without cough reflex), and applied the Severity Scale for Dysphagia: Penetration
and Aspiration[18].
Results
The findings of the clinical evaluation of swallowing function in relation to the
location of the lesion in stroke patients are shown in [Table 1]. Of 20 patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, 17 underwent evaluation with
solid food, because 3 had no teeth. There was a prevalence of abnormalities in patients
with lesions in the cerebral cortex and ischemic stroke.
Table 1.
Distribution of clinical evaluation of swallowing test findings in relation to location
of injury.
|
Location of Injury
|
Liquid
|
Nectar
|
Honey
|
Pudding
|
Solid
|
|
Capture of Cake
|
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
11
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical area
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Lip Seal
|
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
11
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Preparation of Cake
|
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
E
|
NE
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
11
|
−
|
9
|
1
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Extraoral Escape
|
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
9
|
1
|
9
|
1
|
9
|
1
|
10
|
1
|
9
|
1
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Waste in Oral Cavity
|
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
11
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
|
Cough Reflex
|
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
11
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Hawk
|
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
A
|
P
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
11
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
Source: The author. Note: NE = not effective, E = efficient, A = absent, P = present.
Based on the location of the lesion (20 patients), FOIS®
[16] level 7 predominated in 14 patients; levels 1 and 5 were each recorded in 2 patients,
and levels 3 and 6 were each recorded in 1 patient. Based on the type of injury (30
patients), FOIS®
[16] level 7 predominated in 20 patients, followed by level 1 in 5 patients, level 5
in 3 patients, and levels 3 and 6 each in 1 patient. No patient scored levels 2 or
4.
The FEES®
[17] findings on laryngeal sensitivity in relation to the location and type of lesion
are shown in [Table 2].
Table 2.
Distribution of laryngeal sensitivity in relation to location and type of injury.
|
Sensitivity
|
Total
|
|
Present
|
Absent
|
|
|
Normal
|
Decreased
|
|
|
|
Location of Injury
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
4
|
6
|
−
|
10
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
1
|
−
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Total
|
7
|
10
|
3
|
20
|
|
TYPE OF INJURY
|
|
Hemorrhagic
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
2
|
|
Ischemic
|
6
|
9
|
3
|
18
|
|
Transitional
|
3
|
5
|
2
|
10
|
|
Total
|
10
|
15
|
5
|
30
|
Source: The author
The correlation between the location of the lesion and the subsequent intraoral escape
in FEES®
[17] based on food consistencies persisted in patients with lesions in the cerebral cortex
and subcortical area for all food consistencies.
[Table 3] shows the correlations between the location of the lesion and the locations of waste
in pharyngeal FEES®
[17] based on food consistencies. There was a predominance of pharyngeal residue in epiglottic
valleculae associated with pyriform recesses for all food consistencies, which did
not occur with lesions located in the cerebral cortex, subcortical and cerebral cortices,
and cerebellar cortex and subcortical areas.
Table 3.
Pharyngeal waste distribution in relation with food consistency and location of second
injury.
|
Location of Injury
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
Subcortical areas
|
|
Waste pharyngealliquid
|
|
Absent
|
5
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Pyriform recesses
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses
|
4
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
|
Pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Waste pharyngealnectar
|
|
Absent
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Pyriform recesses
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses
|
4
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Waste pharyngealhoney
|
|
Absent
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Pyriform recesses
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses
|
5
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Waste pharyngealpudding
|
|
Absent
|
4
|
−
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Pyriform recesses
|
1
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses
|
4
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
|
Pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Epiglottic valleculae + pyriform recesses + posterior pharyngeal wall
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Source: The author
Bleaching of pharyngeal residue in relation to the location and type of lesion with
food consistencies is shown in [Table 4].
Table 4.
Whitening pharyngeal waste according to location and type of injury and food consistency
|
Whitening Pharyngeal Waste
|
|
Liquid
|
Nectar
|
Honey
|
Pudding
|
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
LOCATION OF INJURY
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
5
|
−
|
6
|
−
|
5
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
2
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
−
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
2
|
|
TYPE OF INJURY
|
|
Hemorrhagic
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
|
Ischemic
|
6
|
2
|
8
|
2
|
7
|
3
|
6
|
3
|
|
Transitional
|
4
|
2
|
5
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
|
P
|
0.7778
|
0.8182
|
0.7273
|
0.5091
|
Source: The author. Fisher's test at significance level of 0.05.
The findings of laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration on FEES®
[17] in relation to lesion location and food consistency are shown in [Table 5] and that related with the type of injury in [Table 6].
Table 5.
Laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration in relation to location of injury and
food consistency.
|
Liquid
|
Nectar
|
Honey
|
Pudding
|
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
|
LOCATION OF INJURY
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
|
Laryngeal Penetration
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
1
|
−
|
9
|
−
|
−
|
10
|
2
|
−
|
8
|
2
|
−
|
8
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
1
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
|
Tracheal Aspiration
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
−
|
−
|
10
|
−
|
−
|
10
|
1
|
−
|
9
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
|
Cerebral and cerebellar cortices
|
1
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
1
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
−
|
−
|
3
|
|
Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and subcortical areas
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
1
|
|
Subcortical areas
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
−
|
1
|
2
|
Source: The author. Note: CR = cough reflex, NR = no cough reflex
Table 6.
Laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration regarding types of injury and FEES
® food consistencies second in patients stroke.
|
Liquid
|
Nectar
|
Honey
|
Pudding
|
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
|
TYPE OF STROKE
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
CR
|
NR
|
|
|
Laryngeal Penetration
|
|
Hemorrhagic stroke
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
|
Ischemic stroke
|
1
|
1
|
16
|
−
|
1
|
17
|
2
|
1
|
15
|
1
|
1
|
16
|
|
Transitional
|
2
|
3
|
5
|
−
|
2
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
−
|
1
|
9
|
|
P
|
0,2982
|
0,8947
|
0,7158
|
0,7158
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tracheal Aspiration
|
|
Hemorrhagic stroke
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
1
|
−
|
1
|
−
|
−
|
2
|
|
Ischemic stroke
|
1
|
1
|
16
|
−
|
1
|
17
|
1
|
1
|
16
|
1
|
2
|
15
|
|
Transitional
|
1
|
3
|
6
|
−
|
2
|
8
|
−
|
1
|
9
|
−
|
1
|
9
|
|
P
|
0,7553
|
0,8947
|
0,8947
|
0,7158
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: The author. Note: CR = cough reflex, NR = no cough reflex Fisher's test at significance level of 0.05.
Regarding Severity Scale: Penetration and Aspiration[18] scoring based on the location of the lesion, 14 patients scored 1 point, while 3
patients scored 7 points, 2 patients scored 8 points, and 1 patient scored 2 points.
When the type of stroke was considered, 19 patients scored 1 point, 5 patients scored
8 points, 4 patients scored 7 points, and 1 patient each scored 4 and 2 points on
the Scale.
Severity Scale: Penetration and Aspiration[18] scores of 3, 5, and 6 points were not observed in this study. Only one patient presented
with a TIA score of 4.
Discussion
All patients had good awareness levels, presenting Glasgow Coma Scale[13] levels greater than or equal to 12. Other authors have pointed out that preserved
cognition decreases the risk of aspiration pneumonia[19]
[20].
In this study, there were cases of TIA-related functional dysphagia in clinical and
instrumental assessments of swallowing, which was not found in the literature.
In the TAC results, 10 patients presented with TIA within normal limits. Other authors
have stressed that TIAs last less than 24 hours and lead to symptoms that usually
resolve within hours[21]. Therefore, patients with TIA who underwent the clinical and instrumental functional
swallowing evaluation before 48 hours should not develop dysphagia. In this study,
patients were assessed 24 hours after stroke because the HC-UFPR is not an open-door
hospital, and a patient is referred from a clinic.
The change in swallowing after a TIA may be related to “transient dysphagia” occurring
in the acute phase and during the regression of symptoms in this type of stroke.
It is essential that the interdisciplinary team focuses on the risks of dysphagia
in patients after TIA and the importance of speech therapy referral for clinical evaluation
of swallowing function before the patient is discharged. The post-TIA patients in
this study only remained under observation in the emergency room without requiring
hospitalization.
There were no changes in both oral and pharyngeal phases in the clinical evaluation
of swallowing function in patients with AVEH, stroke, and TIA. Dysphagia was observed
in all food consistencies, i.e., liquid, nectar, honey, pudding, and solids. In 1997,
it was found that 96% of adults with stroke exhibited disorders in the oral phase
and 80% of adults with stroke exhibited disorders in the oral and pharyngeal phases
of swallowing and dysphagia[22]; another author reported oral phase disorders and pharyngeal dysphagia for solid
and liquid consistencies[23].
In the variables studied, such as the uptake of cake, lip seal, cake preparation,
escape of extraoral waste in the oral cavity, throat clearing, and cough reflex, efficiency
predominated when correlating all food consistencies and isolated locations in the
cerebral cortex; cerebellar and cerebral cortices; the cerebellum, cerebral cortex,
and subcortical areas; cerebral cortex, subcortical areas, and cerebellar cortices;
and subcortical areas. No citation was found for clinical evaluation of swallowing
in relation to functional food consistencies correlating with the location of the
lesion in the cerebral cortex, cerebellar cortex, and subcortical areas.
In the correlation between the type of injury with stroke, a similar FOIS®
[16] score in the literature was identified only in a case study[24] of post-stroke patients, which recorded that FOIS®
[16] score before speech therapy.
The diagnosis of dysphagia in this study increased after FEES®
[17], agreeing with the findings of other authors[20]. During the functional clinical evaluation of swallowing, we observed silent aspiration
in some patients, and the speech therapist evaluator found that it was merely due
to the instrumental assessment of swallowing.
There are no records in the literature that correlate laryngeal sensitivity to the
location and type of lesion in patients with stroke, and authors have only reported
reduced oropharyngeal sensitivity[25]
[26].
There was a predominance of decreased laryngeal sensitivity in stroke in the cerebral
cortex and in ischemic and transient strokes, as well as a lack of sensitivity without
laryngeal cough reflex, i.e., silent aspiration was predominant in subcortical area
strokes. Regardless of the location and type of injury, there was a predominance of
decreased or absent laryngeal sensitivity, compared to normal levels (Table 2).
Importantly, the reduction or absence in laryngeal sensitivity may lead to laryngeal
penetration and/or tracheal silent aspiration. It has been reported that stroke patients
exhibited reduced sensitivity contributing to laryngeal or tracheal aspiration[27].
Pharyngeal residue and epiglottic valleculae associated with pyriform recesses occurred
in the present study, with the incidence being highest in cerebral cortex lesions
for all food consistencies. These data differ from a report of a lower incidence of
pharyngeal residue in epiglottic valleculae and/or pyriform recesses in cortical brain
injury[9].
No relationship between waste and pharyngeal clearance of food waste based on consistency
and type and location of injury was found in the literature.
There was no laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration in most stroke patients,
independent of injury location and type in all food consistencies.
Subcortical stroke was the only injury location in which there was laryngeal penetration
and tracheal silent aspiration for all food consistencies. Thus, we stress the importance
of instrumental assessment of swallowing in such cases. Aspiration has been reported
in 52.3% of subcortical stroke patients, but the author did not describe the food
consistency evaluated[28].
Throat clearing occurred in all patients in cases of laryngeal penetration and tracheal
aspiration, and did not persist in AVEH, widening cases of stroke, and TIA.
Conclusions
This study correlated brain injury with dysphagia in stroke patients, which persisted
in ischemic and cerebral cortex strokes.
In the clinical evaluation of swallowing function, oral dysphagia was predominant
in patients with lesions in the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas and ischemic
stroke. An FOIS®
[16] score of 7 was predominant for lesions in the cerebral cortex and ischemic stroke.
In FEES®
[17], decreased laryngeal sensitivity predominated in patients with lesions in the cerebral
cortex and ischemic stroke. Intraoral posterior escape persisted for all food consistencies
when lesions were located in the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas. Pharyngeal
residue in epiglottic valleculae associated with pyriform recesses predominated in
the cerebral cortex for all food consistencies and in ischemic stroke.
In subcortical strokes, there was no reduction of pharyngeal residue, which was prevalent
in ischemic stroke; laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration, and silent aspiration
with no laryngeal sensitivity occurred.
A Severity Scale: Penetration and Aspiration[18] score of __ predominated in patients with lesions in the cerebral cortex and ischemic
stroke.