[The echographic visualization of the lingual bolus. The reference point in a study of dysphagia]

The videotape recording of the cinefluorographic images obtained with barium swallowing, proved to be very useful in studying pharyngo-esophageal motility. On the contrary, the method failed to be exhaustive in the study of the oral phase of swallowing. In 1983 Shawker et al. were the first authors to suggest the use of US to record tongue motility and the upward movement of hyoid bone. In a previous paper the authors had reported on the value of US videorecording in the dynamic study of oral swallowing, and of lingual bolus development and shape. In the present paper, the authors investigated how frequently the formation of lingual bolus can be recorded by means of US in patients with no dysphagic disorders. Sagittal and transverse scans were acquired in all patients with US units with 5 MHz probes connected to a U-matic videorecorder. In 98% of 50 examined patients, US demonstrated the presence of a lingual bolus in the preparatory phase of oral swallowing. Since lingual bolus formation in the oral phase of swallowing can be considered quite a normal event, the authors believe this finding to be a reliable reference-point in the study of oral swallowing.