Bradyphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Swallowing disorders are a frequent symptom in Parkinson's disease. In literature prevalence is given between 20 and 100 percent. Usually, swallowing disorders occur in the late states of the disease and lead to aspiration and pneumonia. The videoendoscopic pharyngolaryngoscopy provides an efficient method for diagnosing penetration or aspiration of different media (liquid, puree, bread) and for measuring the velocity of the food-transit. Methods: Ten Parkinson-patients and ten stroke-patients, in each case with probable swallowing disorders, underwent a videoendoscopic pharyngolaryngoscopy. The du…