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Swallowing disorders in patients with blepharospasm
María G Cersósimo1, Silvia Juri, Silvia Suárez de Chandler
1Programa de Parkinson y Movimientos Anormales, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Medicina
|August 4, 2005
Summary
This study found that 90% of patients with blepharospasm and Meige syndrome experience swallowing difficulties, often involving premature food loss and residue. These deglutition disorders are linked to age and disease duration.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Blepharospasm involves involuntary eyelid closure due to orbicular muscle contraction.
- Meige syndrome is blepharospasm with oromandibular dystonia.
- Deglutition alterations are common in neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate swallowing alterations in patients with blepharospasm and Meige syndrome.
- To identify the prevalence and nature of deglutition disorders in this patient group.
- To correlate swallowing issues with patient age and disease duration.
Main Methods:
- Video fluoroscopy with barium contrast was used.
- Twenty consecutive patients with blepharospasm and Meige syndrome were studied.
- All four stages of the deglutition process were assessed.
Main Results:
- Ninety percent of patients (18/20) exhibited deglutition disorders.
- Common issues included premature food drop (83%) and vallecular residue (78%).
- Most alterations occurred in the third deglutition stage; 89% had multiple issues.
Conclusions:
- Patients with blepharospasm and Meige syndrome have a high prevalence of swallowing disorders (90%).
- Findings suggest dystonia may extend beyond orofacial muscles, impacting deglutition.
- Swallowing difficulties significantly correlate with increased age and longer disease duration.