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Query: UMLS:C0032290 (aspiration pneumonia)
 2,291 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Some unfortunate patients suffer disorders which in one way or another, usually neurologically, severely restrict the larynx in its role as a protector of the lower airway. Aspiration ensues, and unless it can be successfully managed, repeated episodes of a violent pneumonitis may lead to terminal chest problems. In some patients, even the cuffed tracheostomy tubes of new and improved design do not adequately prevent aspiration over an extended time intervel, as evidenced by repeated bouts of aspiration pneumonia despite these cuffed tubes and despite optimal intensive care. For these patients with intractable aspiration, and in whom recovery is expected only after a prolonged period of time, we have suggested a diverting procedure which employs a tracheo-esophageal anastomosis, as an effective yet reversible solution. Such an anastomosis with concomitant tracheostomy allows aspiration of saliva and even food to occur through the malfunctioning larynx but diverts it back into the esophagus through the tracheo-esophageal anastomosis. In normal mongrel dogs we demonstrated that an end-to-side tracheo-esophageal anastomosis is well tolerated and can be performed without damage to the intrinsic larynx or recurrent laryngeal nerves. The tracheo-esophageal lumen remained patent and the anastomosis intact for as long as these animals were observed prior to reconstruction. The reversibility of the tracheo-esophageal anastomosis was demonstrated in these dogs by excising the anastomosis, repairing the esophageal defect, and restoring the continuity of the trachea by end-to-end anastomosis. Vocal cord motion remained intact, the dogs ate normally, and barked once again. A tracheo-esophageal anastomosis was performed in a 60-year-old white female who had suffered lower cranial nerve damage as a result of a large acoustic tumor and the excision thereof. Despite every effort to control aspiration, pneumonitis occurred and became fulminant. The diverting tracheo-esophageal anastomosis was performed with relative ease and was well tolerated by the patient. Aspiration was totally and dependably controlled, and no further chest complications occurred. Her nasogastric feeding tube was removed, and she ate a regular diet with very little difficulty. She gained in strength, became much more alert mentally, and is now taking care of herself in a nursing home. We are following her progress by indirect laryngoscopy and barium swallow examinations and at five months post anastomosis, we are possibly seeing the first signs of lower cranial nerve recovery. We hope that reconstruction and restoration of function will soon be possible.
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PMID:Diverting the paralyzed larynx: a reversible procedure for intractable aspiration. 111 93

This study was designed to determine whether swallow rehabilitation outcomes were affected by the type of evaluation procedure utilized by the clinician. The two evaluation techniques compared were the bedside examination and videofluoroscopy (the modified barium swallow). Ten institutions participated in this study, enrolling a total of 103 partial laryngectomized patients, 21 in the bedside arm and 82 in the videofluoroscopy arm. Data on recovery of oral intake were collected weekly. All patients received an X-ray study of swallow at 3 months after the operation. Mean time to oral intake of food was significantly lower in patients assessed with bedside examination. Overall swallow measures of transit times and swallow efficiencies after 3 months revealed significantly better function in the videofluoroscopy group. Results are discussed in terms of the visibility of swallow physiology with the two assessment techniques, the accuracy of therapy planning with the bedside examination versus videofluoroscopy and the ability of head and neck cancer patients to tolerate some aspiration without developing aspiration pneumonia.
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PMID:Impact of the diagnostic procedure on outcome measures of swallowing rehabilitation in head and neck cancer patients. 142 31

The prevalence of dysphagia in the elderly ("presbyphagia") is probably still underestimated, though this disorder represents a major geriatric problem; special attention is necessary to prevent malnutrition, dehydration and aspiration pneumonia. Primary presbyphagia due to physiological, age-related changes of the swallowing mechanism must be differentiated from secondary presbyphagia attributable to diseases which are more frequent in the elderly. Transnasal pharyngo-laryngo-fiberendoscopy, videofluoroscopy and the "modified barium swallow" are of particular value in the diagnostic approach to presbyphagia. The possibilities of treatment are limited. They are aimed at dietary adjustments, compensatory mechanisms based on the properties of the volume and consistency of the food, proper feeding position and help by other persons. Individual swallowing exercises by a speech therapist are particularly valuable. Surgical procedures for the treatment of underlying organic disorders are less often indicated in presbyphagia.
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PMID:[Dysphagia in the elderly]. 176 68

In a 6.5 year period starting January 1982, 121 patients (74 male, 47 female; 1.6:1) with complicated gastroesophageal reflux referred to Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, required a Nissen fundoplication at a mean age of 35.5 months (range 3 weeks to 18 years). The median age of onset of symptoms was less than 1 month. Symptoms and indications for surgery included regurgitation (88%), failure to thrive (52%), reflux-associated pulmonary symptoms and aspiration (48%), biopsy evidence of esophagitis (35%) with heartburn (17%), dysphagia (18%), hematemesis (17%), anemia (13%), and hypoproteinemia (22%). Sixty-four percent of the patients had a syndrome or chromosomal abnormality, respiratory disease, or neuromuscular disorder. The barium contrast upper-gastrointestinal radiographic series, performed in all patients, identified structural [gastric outlet obstruction (2%), esophageal stricture (11%), erosive esophagitis (9%)], and functional abnormalities [gastroesophageal reflux (90%), barium aspiration (8%), esophageal hypoperistalsis (30%), delayed gastric emptying (4%)]. Barium contrast upper gastrointestinal radiographic series identified gastroesophageal reflux with a sensitivity of 90% (compared to history), was 50% sensitive and 92% specific for erosive esophagitis (compared to biopsy), was 59% sensitive and 74% specific for esophageal dysmotility (compared to esophageal manometry), and there was a significant (p less than 0.01) association between barium aspiration and prior evidence of aspiration pneumonitis. Esophageal manometry demonstrated a significantly (p less than 0.001) lower esophageal sphincter pressure in patients compared with controls, but no significant correlation with failure to thrive, aspiration pneumonia, biopsy evidence of esophagitis, or parameters of the 24-hour esophageal pH study. Twenty-four hour pH monitoring showed significantly (p less than 0.05) more reflux episodes than in asymptomatic controls and there was significant (p less than 0.05) correlation between the percentage of time pH was less than 4 and the presence of hypoalbuminemia, and biopsy-proven erosive esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus. Endoscopic appearance was 91% sensitive and 60% specific for esophagitis when compared to biopsy. Nissen fundoplication was completely effective at resolving gastroesophageal reflux in 83%, and associated with marked improvement in 15%. No patient died as a result of fundoplication. Major complications included: recurrence of symptoms requiring reoperation (2%), subsequent mechanical bowel obstruction (8%), wound infection or pneumonia (12%).
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PMID:Investigation and outcome of 121 infants and children requiring Nissen fundoplication for the management of gastroesophageal reflux. 227 17

Based on the surgical pathology and survival for patients in previous trials using a neoadjuvant program of chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil [5-FU]-cisplatin) and radiation (3,000 cGy) before surgery for squamous-cell cancer (SCC) of the esophagus, a nonoperative pilot trial was designed to test if survival and recurrence would differ from our historical controls if routine esophagectomy was eliminated. Twenty patients were treated. The protocol called for the delivery of 5-FU infusion (1,000 mg/m2/d X 4 d) days 1 to 4 and 29 to 32 with cisplatin (100 mg/m2) day 1 and 29 sandwiched around external beam radiation (3,000 cGy over 3 weeks). Mitomycin C (10 mg/m2) day 57 was administered with bleomycin infusion (20 U/d X 4 d) days 57 to 60 and 78 to 81. A radiation boost of 2,000 cGy was administered 200 cGy/d days 99 to 103 and 106 to 110. Clinical pulmonary toxicity forced withdrawal of bleomycin and mitomycin C in the last four patients treated; two further courses of 5-FU-cisplatin were administered instead. The median measurement of the 20 esophageal lesions by barium swallow was 7 cm. Four patients underwent salvage surgery to prevent life-threatening aspiration pneumonia. The median survival for the 20 patients is 22 months, with a range from 6 to 39+ months. The six patients clinically without cancer are alive 22+ to 39+ months (median, 35+ months). Three patients died manifesting only local (infield) recurrence; five died manifesting only distant recurrence; and five developed local and distant recurrence. While the toxicity of the four drug regimen as administered was prohibitive, the survival and quality of survival is superior to the regimen previously used, which routinely used surgery after preoperative chemotherapy and radiation.
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PMID:Nonoperative therapy for squamous-cell cancer of the esophagus. 243 26

The defect that remains after an extended hemilaryngectomy continues to be a challenge to the reconstructing surgeon. The reconstruction ideally must provide airway protection against aspiration, allow for phonation, and provide a durable mucosal surface. It also must be accomplished in one stage. Nine Labrador dogs underwent successful reconstruction of the hemilarynx using an axial island cheek flap based on the facial artery and vein. Adequate laryngeal function was demonstrated by maintenance of body weight, normal barium swallows, return of strong bark, and no evidence of aspiration pneumonia. Pathologic review confirmed a viable mucosal surface and incorporation of the Marlex and stainless steel wire mesh in a fibrous reaction. We have concluded that this method of reconstruction provides a result superior to currently used techniques.
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PMID:Hemilaryngeal reconstruction using an axial island cheek flap supported by Marlex and stainless steel wire mesh. 317 42

Diagnosis of esophageal-pleural fistulae may be difficult in the absence of mediastinitis. To determine the value of CT in establishing this diagnosis and in detecting mediastinal involvement, CT findings in seven patients with esophageal-pleural fistulae were studied retrospectively. The fistulae were secondary to surgery (five patients), esophageal dilatation (one patient), and esophageal carcinoma (one patient). CT findings included barium, air, and fluid in the pleural space and pneumonia. These abnormalities seemed to distinguish an esophageal fistula from other pathologic processes, such as aspiration pneumonia, lung abscess, spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary emboli, and bronchopleural fistulae, and they documented a lack of inflammatory reactions in the mediastinum associated with the fistula. The latter finding is important, because patients with esophageal-pleural fistulae without mediastinitis have a less severe clinical course and respond better to conservative treatment. CT is useful for patients with normal findings on esophagrams when suspicion of esophageal-pleural fistulae remains high and when satisfactory esophagrams cannot be obtained.
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PMID:CT of esophageal-pleural fistulae. 349 Jan 62

Nasal regurgitation of milk and choking after feeding were observed in a 1,450 g newborn boy. A nasogastric tube was inserted and several episodes of aspiration pneumonia occurred after every interruption of gavage. Weight gain was very slow. At the age of 7 months, cineradiographic studies depicted cricopharyngeal spasm and passage of the barium into the nasopharynx and larynx. Pharyngo-oesophageal manometry showed incoordination, high cricopharyngeal pressure and incomplete relaxation of the muscle. Extended lower oesophageal pH-metering revealed severe gastro-oesophageal reflux. After cricopharyngeal myotomy and fundoplication the patient recovered, x-ray findings improved, and so did manometry except for a persistent incoordination. Functional studies are mandatory for diagnosis of this complex clinical pattern. The need for ruling out gastrooesophageal reflux before myotomy in order to prevent subsequent severe aspiration, is pointed out.
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PMID:Cricopharyngeal dysphagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux. 409 Jul 45

This report reviews the clinical and radiographic features of 40 patients who underwent visceral esophageal substitution with colon for benign or malignant lesions of the esophagus. The incidence and radiographic identification of complications are discussed. All patients were routinely examined with barium esophagrams on postoperative day 10. If an anastomotic leak was suspected clinically before this time, studies were performed using water-soluble iodinated contrast material. Follow-up barium esophagrams were obtained 1-96 months after operation (average, 60 months) in 24 patients. Eight patients (21%) demonstrated asymptomatic "jejunization" of the colonic mucosa with no attributable clinical manifestations; this finding resolved in 1-3 months, without sequelae, and has not been reported before. The spectrum of ischemic changes in the colonic segment included mucosal edema, spasm, ulceration, loss of haustration, and frank necrosis. Radiographically detectable early postoperative complications included anastomotic leak in six (three pharyngocolic, three cervical esophagocolic) and aspiration of barium into the tracheobronchial tree due to incoordinated swallowing in eight. Late postoperative complications included anastomotic narrowing (12) malfunctioning of the colon due to impaired emptying (five), recurrent aspiration pneumonia (three), small bowel obstruction (three), transhiatal herniation of small bowel through the diaphragmatic hiatus (one), and reflux into the retained bypassed esophagus (one).
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PMID:Colonic interposition: radiographic evaluation. 660 25

During the past 5 years, 26 infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux were operated on. The results have been highly satisfactory and unattended by serious complications or mortality. Barium fluoroscopy was the most reliable diagnostic method. The indications for operation were persistent vomiting with failure to thrive, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, gastrointestinal bleeding and peptic stricture of the esophagus, not relieved by medical treatment. The high incidence of peptic stricture of the esophagus (50 percent) may reflect delay in diagnosis and medical treatment, which is successful in 60 to 87 percent of the infants with gastroesophageal reflux. Surgical treatment consisted of Nissen fundoplication combined with gastrostomy in cases of esophageal stenosis where dilatations were indicated. Complications related to the operation were minimal. In a follow-up period of 9 months to 5 years, all patients had obtained relief of symptoms of reflux and had excellent nutritional status and normal growth.
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PMID:Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux with esophageal stricture in infancy and childhood. 705 89


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