High-resolution manometry: what about the pharynx?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Neurology

Background:

• High-resolution pharyngeal manometry (HRPM) is a catheter-based technique for assessing pharyngeal muscle function during swallowing.
• Despite its utility, a lack of consensus exists regarding the specific biomechanical phenomena to measure with HRPM.
• This review aims to clarify HRPM's potential for understanding swallowing physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and provide insights into the biomechanical phenomena measurable with HRPM.
• To highlight key measurements relevant to dysphagia research and clinical assessment.
• To discuss the derivation of a global measure of swallow function.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of HRPM applications in swallowing research.
• Focus on measurement of pharyngeal luminal occlusive forces, intrabolus distension pressure, bolus presence, and bolus flow timing.
• Exploration of the derivation of the Swallow Risk Index.

Main Results:

• HRPM enables objective measurement of biomechanical events during swallowing.
• Key measurements allow for the calculation of the Swallow Risk Index, indicating swallowing functional reserve.
• HRPM data is relevant for dysphagia research and understanding swallowing disorders.

Conclusions:

• HRPM provides objective measures of swallow function valuable for diagnosis and research.
• The technique has demonstrated clinical applicability in specific patient groups.
• HRPM offers unique advantages complementing existing swallowing assessment methods.