Clinical assessment of pharyngolaryngeal sensitivity

The purpose of this article is to review the ongoing clinical research on assessment of laryngeal and pharyngeal sensitivity with particular emphasis on the technique of endoscopic air pulse stimulation of the laryngopharyngeal mucosa. Studies of laryngopharyngeal sensation in healthy controls and in stroke patients with dysphagia are presented initially. What then follows is a detailed description of a study comparing modified barium swallow and pharyngolaryngeal sensory testing as predictors of aspiration pneumonia after stroke. Finally, the combination of laryngopharyngeal sensory testing with endoscopic swallowing evaluations, termed flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing, and its implications in the office or bedside evaluation of the patient with dysphagia are discussed.