Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Development of an Ultrasound-Based Score for Screening Swallowing Disorders: Diagnostic Accuracy and Cutoff Points
Carlos Díaz López1, Aymeric Le Neindre2, Stéphane Henriot3
1Rehabilitation Service, Hôpital Forcilles - Fondation Cognacq-Jay, Férolles-Attilly, France; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Objective:
To determine whether specific ultrasound (US) measures and cutoff scores from a new point-based scoring system were able to confirm the findings of the videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) in diagnosing swallowing disorders (SDs).
Design:
A cross-sectional, single-center study from March 2021 to March 2023. Initial SD screening on the Penetration Aspiration Scale and subsequent evaluation on the VFSS were administered to confirm SD. Additionally, a US study examined tongue thickness, tongue movement, hyoid bone displacement, and suprahyoid muscles. A scoring system based on these US measures was developed, and cutoff scores for the presence/absence of SDs were determined from the US and VFSS findings.
Setting:
A single tertiary referral center providing both ambulatory and inpatient care.
Participants:
One hundred nineteen adults (N=119) consecutively admitted to the SDs unit with suspected SDs. Exclusion criteria included total laryngectomy, health conditions preventing standard evaluation (eg, dyspnea, musculoskeletal disorders), and prior evaluation in the unit.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
The SDs was able to be confirmed on the US-based score. The US cutoff scores were related to the presence or absence of SDs based on the findings of the VFSS.
Results:
The SDs diagnosed in 75 (63%) based on VFSS and corroborated with main US features seen during swallowing. The logistic model developed included tongue movement, hyoid bone displacement, geniohyoid thickness at rest, and sex (area under the curve=0.83; 95% CI, 0.75-0.91). The US scoring system developed ranges from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no dysphagia and 3-5 indicating SDs. The optimal cutoff to rule out SDs was ˂1, with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.04 and a negative posttest probability of 6%. To rule in SDs, the optimal cutoff was ≥3, with a positive likelihood ratio of 5.1 and a positive posttest probability of 90%.
Conclusions:
The US-based scoring system is a promising, easy-to-use assessment tool with good diagnostic accuracy and useful posttest probabilities for SDs assessment. Further research is needed before clinical adoption.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
01:20Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...