Presbyphagia

Presbyphagia is a term used to describe swallowing difficulty of the sort that can be associated with the aging process: the process of swallowing as a whole is inefficient and reduced in vigor. Common findings include globally (as opposed to focally) reduced muscle bulk, often seen in vocal cords and not just pharyngeal wall musculature; globally reduced strength of contraction of the pharynx; and tendency for retention or pooling of a part of swallowed food or liquid in the vallecula or pyriform sinuses.

Presbyphagia may be associated with cricopharyngeal dysfunction and, when severe, aspiration.

VESS Demonstrating Presbyphagia, Chin Tuck Maneuver, Hypopharyngeal Pooling, Laryngeal Penetration and Effective Cough

Chin tuck maneuver (2 of 5)

Moments later, the patient was asked to swallow again, but with chin tucked down towards chest. Note how effective this maneuver was in clearing away the residual material seen in the prior photo.

Aspiration (3 of 5)

Due to its lower viscosity, blue-stained water flows more quickly than applesauce, and enters the laryngeal vestibule. Fortunately, the patient is closing the vocal cords simultaneously, so that aspiration does not occur.

Laryngeal penetration (4 of 5)

Just after the swallow is completed, one can see a trace of blue-stained water just above the not-yet-opened cords. This is technically penetration, and not aspiration.

Air is blasted out of vestibule (5 of 5)

Using “stored” pulmonary air, this trace of penetrated water is “blasted” up and out of the laryngeal vestibule, and is never aspirated.”

Secretional Pooling Predicts Swallowing Function

Residue (2 of 4)

As predicted by the information in photo 1, after administration of blue-stained applesauce, we see here an amount and location of residue that mirrors that of the saliva in photo 1. Greater residue in the right pyriform sinus (left of photo) is often seen with right-sided pharynx weakness, but that is not the case here.

Cracker (3 of 4)

After administration of cheese cracker, some of it remains in the vallecula, where it has displaced some of the applesauce.

Blue-stained water (4 of 4)

After administration of blue-stained water, most of cracker and applesauce are washed through. Some minimal blue-staining of the laryngeal vestibule explains why coughing tends to occur when drinking (especially thin liquids).

Swallowing Trouble 101

This video gives an overview of how swallowing works, how it can sometimes go wrong (presbyphagia or cricopharyngeal dysfunction), and possible ways to treat those problems (swallowing therapy or cricopharyngeal myotomy).

Presbyphagia

VESS Demonstrating Presbyphagia, Chin Tuck Maneuver, Hypopharyngeal Pooling, Laryngeal Penetration and Effective Cough

VESS (1 of 5)

Chin tuck maneuver (2 of 5)

Aspiration (3 of 5)

Laryngeal penetration (4 of 5)

Air is blasted out of vestibule (5 of 5)

Secretional Pooling Predicts Swallowing Function

Pooling (1 of 4)

Residue (2 of 4)

Cracker (3 of 4)

Blue-stained water (4 of 4)

Swallowing Trouble 101

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