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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Coordinate Mapping of Hyolaryngeal Mechanics in Swallowing
Published on: May 6, 2014
Characterization of pharyngeal contractile integral using pharyngeal manometry in children
Alisara Damrongmanee1,2, Khalil El-Chammas2,3, Neha Santucci2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Insights
Pharyngeal contractile integral (PhCI) was significantly lower in children with abnormal swallowing studies (VFSS). Age did not significantly impact PhCI in this pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Swallowing disorders
- Diagnostic metrics
Background:
- Pharyngeal contractile integral (PhCI) quantifies pharyngeal contraction vigor.
- Characterizing PhCI in children using high-resolution pharyngeal manometry (HRPM) is limited.
- Videofluoroscopic study of swallow (VFSS) is a common diagnostic tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare PhCI values in children with normal versus abnormal VFSS.
- To assess the relationship between age and PhCI in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- HRPM/HREM and VFSS were performed on pediatric patients.
- Patients were categorized into "normal VFSS" and "abnormal VFSS" groups.
- PhCI was calculated using specialized manometry analysis software.
Main Results:
- Children with abnormal VFSS (n=9) had significantly lower mean PhCI (82.00 mmHg·s·cm) compared to those with normal VFSS (n=58; 147.28 mmHg·s·cm).
- Abnormal VFSS group was younger, but age did not independently affect PhCI after adjustment.
- In dysphagia subgroup, abnormal VFSS showed lower PhCI (82.00 mmHg·s·cm) vs. normal VFSS (141.86 mmHg·s·cm).
Conclusions:
- PhCI is significantly reduced in pediatric patients with abnormal VFSS.
- Age does not appear to be a significant confounding factor for PhCI in this pediatric cohort.
Objectives:
Pharyngeal contractile integral (PhCI) is the product of mean pharyngeal contractile amplitude, length, and duration, and provides a single metric for the vigor of entire pharyngeal contraction. A major limitation in children is lack of characterization of PhCI on high-resolution pharyngeal manometry. We aimed to determine and compare the values of PhCI in children with the abnormal and normal videofluoroscopic study of swallow (VFSS).
Methods:
Children who underwent high-resolution pharyngeal and esophageal manometry (HRPM/HREM), as well as VFSS, were divided into two groups; "normal VFSS" and "abnormal VFSS" groups. PhCI was calculated from the pharyngo-esophageal manometry analysis software (MMS, v9.5, Laborie Medical Technologies), and compared in these two groups.
Results:
Of 67 children, 9 had abnormal VFSS (mean age 64 ± 50 months; 66.7% males), while 58 had normal VFSS (mean age 123 ± 55 months; 47% males). The mean PhCI in abnormal and normal VFSS groups was 82.00 ± 51.90 and 147.28 ± 53.89 mmHg.s.cm, respectively (p = 0.001). Subjects with abnormal VFSS were significantly younger than those with normal VFSS (p = 0.003). However, after adjusting for the VFSS result, age was no longer related to PhCI (p = 0.364). In subgroup analysis of children presenting with dysphagia, the mean PhCI in abnormal (9 subjects) and normal (36 subjects) VFSS groups was 82.00 ± 51.90 and 141.86 ± 50.39 mmHg.s.cm, respectively (p = 0.003).
Conclusions:
PhCI was significantly lower in children with abnormal VFSS than in those with normal VFSS. We did not find a significant impact of age on PhCI in our pediatric populations.
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