[Dysphagia] Cervical Auscultation

[mdspeech at verizon.net (mdspeech@verizon.net)]

Despite growing clinical use, cervical auscultation suffers from a lack of research-based data. One of the strongest criticisms of cervical auscultation is that there has been little research to demonstrate how dysphagic swallowing sounds are different from normal swallowing sounds.

That being said, exactly what valuable information are clinicians able to obtain when listening to someone swallow using a stethescope during cervical auscultation.

So far I've only been able to find only a little subjective information pertaining to the timing of the apneic period during the swallow as well as clarity of the respirations. There are also reports of the perceptual identity of any attempts at laryngeal clearing or impeded airflow in the larynx.

How does one translate and document this information into dysphagic vs non-dysphagic swallowing? Furthermore, is there anything else of value that is obtained by using this during a clinical bedside swallowing examination.

I happen to work with fellow clinician who claims she can hear pooling in the pyriform sinuses with solids. This seems a little far fetched, but she seems hell bent on continuing to make these preposterous claims....I digress...

I know that this topic has been covered before, but my review of the archives has yet to uncover any valuable information.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.