The detection of pharyngeal incoordination and aspiration by radiosalivagram in cerebral palsy

Full text: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may have abnormal respiratory function because of aspiration pneumonitis, chest deformity, upper airways obstruction or central respiratory control abnormalities. The diagnosis of aspiration has long confounded clinicians and is often made indirectly after exclusion of other causes of respiratory disease in susceptible individuals. The radiosalivagram is a technique which permits the demonstration of aspiration of pharyngeal contents in individuals with pharyngeal incoordination. It is a simple procedure which provides both qualitative and quantitative evidence of aspiration. Over an hour and while supine, 20 mL of 99mTc-sulphur colloid is instilled into the pharynx via a thin plastic tube using a syringe pump. The neck, thorax and upper abdomen are imaged continuously In normal individuals, radioactivity is demonstrated in the pharynx, oesophagus and stomach; in the presence of pharyngeal incoordination, radioactivity is seen within one or both main bronchi and adjacent lung fields. The rate of clearance from the lungs varies and can be quantified. We have studied 31 children with severe non-ambulant CR The time to first aspiration, maximum quantity aspirated, and retention of aspirated material at 2h have been determined. These data have been compared with measurements of respiratory function. Preliminary results of this ongoing study reveal a broad range of outcomes. Seventeen children (17/31) had aspiration, in 15/17 aspiration was unilateral and in 14/17 there was spontaneous early clearance. The investigation was well tolerated by patients. The radiosalivagram is a simple, quantifiable investigation for demonstrating or excluding pharyngeal incoordination and aspiration in children with unexplained respiratory disease