The use of the Gaussian curve fitting method for scintigraphic measurements of the swallowing process in healthy subjects: implications for evaluation of dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE

To present the results of scintigraphic evaluation, using the Gaussian curve fitting method, via 3 parameters of oropharyngeal swallow: (1) pharyngeal transit time, (2) premature pharyngeal entry, and (3) postswallow pharyngeal stasis while ingesting liquid.

DESIGN

A descriptive study.

SETTING

A rehabilitation hospital affiliated with a medical university.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighteen healthy subjects.

INTERVENTION: All 18 subjects received scintigraphic swallow examination to evaluate dynamic swallow process of 5 mL of liquid.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Gaussian curve fitting method was used to calculate the pharyngeal transit time, premature pharyngeal entry, and postswallow pharyngeal stasis.

RESULTS

The mean pharyngeal transit time was .71 seconds. The maximal percentage of premature pharyngeal entry was 3%. The maximal percentage of postswallow pharyngeal stasis was 9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The Gaussian curve fitting can be used as an objective and time-saving method to calculate the parameters in scintigraphic swallowing examination. Our results approximate other researchers' reports.