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Age-Related Changes in Pharyngeal Lumen Size: A Retrospective MRI Analysis
Sonja M Molfenter1, M R Amin, R C Branski
1Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Steinhardt, New York University, 665 Broadway, Room 934, New York, NY, 10012, USA, smm16@nyu.edu.
Dysphagia
|March 10, 2015
Summary
Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) affects the pharynx, causing decreased pharyngeal wall thickness and increased pharyngeal lumen size in older women. This study quanties these age-related changes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
Background:
- Age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, is a known factor in swallowing changes.
- The pharynx's role in age-related swallowing alterations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in pharyngeal wall thickness and lumen area.
- To explore the correlation between sarcopenia and pharyngeal structural modifications in women.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MRI scans from 60 women across three age groups (20s, 60s, 70+).
- Measurement of pharyngeal wall thickness and lumen area using ImageJ on selected neck slices.
- Statistical comparison of measurements between age groups using one-way ANOVAs and post-hoc tests.
Main Results:
- Significant age-related decreases in pharyngeal wall thickness were observed.
- Significant age-related increases in pharyngeal lumen area were found.
- Differences were most pronounced between the youngest (20s) and oldest (70+) groups.
Conclusions:
- Pharyngeal muscles exhibit atrophy with aging, consistent with sarcopenia.
- Increased pharyngeal lumen size is a consequence of age-related pharyngeal muscle atrophy.
- These structural changes may contribute to age-related swallowing difficulties.
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