[Video-supported dynamic B-mode sonography of tongue function during swallowing]

A dynamic B-mode ultrasound technique supported by video recording was employed on 51 patients between the ages of six and 45 years for the purpose of imaging the tongue at rest and in motion during swallowing. All patients either in their case histories or at clinical examination demonstrated orofacial dysfunction of the tongue or an abnormal oral phase during swallowing. The ultrasound sequences of a 5 MHz sector scanner (100 degrees, 30 images/sec) were videotaped for the purpose of analyzing the sagittal and vertical movement components during swallowing. The sagittal sector scan revealed a visceral swallowing pattern in 21 patients. Noticeably often patients with an Angle class III malocclusion also displayed an abnormal swallowing pattern. Ultrasound scanning in the coronal and sagittal plane is a noninvasive imaging technique free of the biological risks associated with radiation. The dynamic ultrasound technique may be employed for early detection and diagnosis of tongue discoordinations and is especially to be recommended for the objective imaging and identification of tongue thrust in orthodontic patients.