Static endoscopic evaluation of swallowing: Transoral endoscopy during clinical swallow evaluations

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the sensitivity and specificity for assessing pharyngeal residue, laryngeal penetration, and tracheal aspiration when comparing findings from the Static Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (SEES) with findings from the Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS).

Methods: Retrospective study at a tertiary academic medical center. Records were reviewed consecutive outpatients who underwent both SEES and VFSS evaluations. Video segments from SEES and VFSS examinations were blindly judged by experienced clinicians on a categorical/ordinal rating form for the absence, quantitative presence, and location of postswallow residue, penetration, and aspiration. Statistical analysis was performed to identify intra- and interrater reliability and correlation between SEES and VFSS findings.

Results: Thirty-nine patients were identified who met the above inclusion criteria, for a total of 206 video segments. Inter- and intrarater reliability was judged by Cronbach's alpha to be good to excellent. SEES findings revealed statistically significant correlations with VFSS findings (P < 0.001) with the absence, quantitative presence, and location of thin liquid and solid swallow residue, penetration, and aspiration. In addition, SEES was more sensitive to the presence of liquid residue, penetration, and aspiration than VFSS.

Conclusion: SEES is an endoscopic screening procedure that strengthens the clinical swallowing evaluation by documenting the presence or absence of postswallow residue, penetration, and aspiration. Accurate identification of a patient's risk for aspiration helps to direct further workup. It is an expedient, repeatable, and clinical relevant procedure that can be easily incorporated into a clinician's practice.

Level of evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:2291-2294, 2016.

Keywords: Rigid; clinical swallow evaluation; dysphagia; endoscopy; swallowing; transoral; videofluoroscopy.