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Periventricular white matter changes and oropharyngeal swallowing in normal individuals

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Abstract

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revealed patchy periventricular white matter lesions or “unidentified bright objects” (UBOs) in otherwise neurologically intact individuals. Quantitative videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluations and cranial MRI examinations were studied in 49 neurologically normal volunteers (ages 43 to 79 years). Total swallowing duration (TSD) and its subcomponents of oral transit duration (OTD), stage transition duration (STD), and pharyngeal response duration were measured for liquid and semisolid swallows. MRIs were graded from 0, or no UBOs, to 3, or multiple and confluent lesions. The effect of the presence of UBOs on swallowing durational measures and risk factors was analyzed with age differences accounted for statistically (AN-COVA). TSD and OTD for semisolids were significantly differentiated by MRI score (P<0.009 andP<0.047, respectively). That is, a demonstrable effect was found for an increased number of UBOs on duration of oropharyngeal swallowing in normal individuals.

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Author notes

  1. Ross Levine M.D.

    Present address: Neurology Service/127, Middleton VAH, 2500 Overlook Terrace, 53705, Madison, WI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital and University of Wisconsin Clinical Sciences Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Ross Levine M.D. & Jo Anne Robbins Ph.D.

  2. Department of Radiology, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital and University of Wisconsin Clinical Sciences Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Andrea Maser M.S.

Authors
  1. Ross Levine M.D.
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  2. Jo Anne Robbins Ph.D.
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  3. Andrea Maser M.S.
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Supported in part by The National Institute of Health (NS24427).

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Levine, R., Robbins, J.A. & Maser, A. Periventricular white matter changes and oropharyngeal swallowing in normal individuals. Dysphagia 7, 142–147 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02493446

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