Protocol Number: 79-CC-0101

Title:

Exploration of the Diagnostic Capabilities of Ultrasound of the Oropharynx and Larynx

Number:

79-CC-0101

Summary:

This study will assess the use of ultrasound-a test that uses sound waves to produce images-as a diagnostic tool for evaluating speech and swallowing.

The following categories of individuals may be eligible for this study: 1) healthy volunteers between 20 and 85 years old with normal speech and hearing, 2) patients 6 to 85 years old with developmental neurological deficits in speech or swallowing, and 3) patients with tumors of the oral cavity, pharynx or larynx being treated at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Participants will undergo a 30-minute speech and oral motion evaluation, in which they imitate sounds, words and oral movements while a speech pathologist evaluates their lip, tongue and palate movements. They may also be asked to drink a small amount of water for examination of swallowing function.

For the ultrasound examination, a 3/4-inch transducer (device for transmitting and receiving sound waves) is placed under the participant's chin. While the transducer is in place, the subject 1) repeats sounds and a series of syllables in several sequences, 2) swallows three times with and without a small amount of water, and 3) swallows 3 teaspoons of non-fat pudding. The ultrasound images are recorded on tape for later analysis.

Sponsoring Institute:

Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center (CC)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Normal volunteers:

Normal volunteers ages 21 to 85 may be asked to participate in a study of speech and swallowing utilizing a traditional clinical examination of oral-motor performance. If the subjects are without deficits in dental occlusion, speech articulation, tongue and lip strength, tongue and lip mobility, palatal function and oral sensation they will be asked to participate in an ultrasonic evaluation of tongue/hyoid interaction during swallowing and speech.

Children will be included if they are referred with a medical condition that affects the oral pharyngeal phase of swallowing, voice production or laryngeal function and the investigator needs to evaluate functional performance and safety for oral feeding.

Neurological Group:

Subjects aged 6 to 85 with diagnosed developmental, neuromotor, systemic, genetic, neurologic, structural and post surgical dysfunction who have deficits in speech (dysarthria) and/or swallow (dysphagia) may be asked to participate in this study of ultrasonic imaging. Aging patients with and without dementia may also be studied. Patients with Post Polio Syndrome, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Toricollis, Cerebellar Degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, ALS, Cystinosis, are among the conditions of interest. Subjects with complaints of oral dryness, and patients who have undergone mandibular and oral surgery may also be studied during swallowing.

Oropharyngeal/Laryngeal Tumors:

Patients will be seen who are enrolled in NCI and NIDCD protocols for head and neck tumors.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Normal Subjects:

Hearing impairment reported (above 40 db, bilaterally)

Dentures

Oral Prosthesis

Palatal surgery or other restorative dental surgery

Radial neck dissection, glossectomy

Tumor or masses in neck or tongue

Cerebral vascular attack

Stuttering

Non-English speaker

Childhood articulation impairment

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Dysphagia

Dysarthria

Tongue Motion

Xerostomia

Swallowing

Speech

Polymyositis

Speech Disorders

Oral-Facial Paralysis

Ultrasound

Recruitment Keywords:

None

Conditions:

Otorhinolaryngologic Disease

Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasm

Pharyngeal Neoplasm

Polymyositis

Speech Disorder

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

Dysphagia in patients with post-polio syndrome

Oropharyngeal dysfunction in nephropathic cystinosis

Ultrasound analysis of the tongue, hyoid, and larynx activity during swallowing

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

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Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center (CC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 10/27/2004