Endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in children: 3 years of experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.972Keywords:
children, dysphagia, swallowing disorders, endoscopic evaluationAbstract
Swallowing disorders in children affect approximately 1% of children per year in the United States and are often underdiagnosed. The development of noninvasive diagnostic techniques has allowed for more accurate diagnoses, regardless of age.
This study aims to identify the prevalence of swallowing disorders and the need for instrumental evaluation by videofluoroscopy of swallowing (VFD) and/or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in patients followed at the pediatric laryngeal consultation and to describe two representative cases, emphasizing the specificities of performing FEES in children.
A retrospective analysis of pediatric patients followed in the laryngeal consultation between 2018-2020 was performed.
Of the 278 children evaluated, swallowing disorders were found in 26% (n=71). FEES was performed in 24%, VFD in 32%, and 10% of children underwent both exams.
Those patients who underwent FEES, structural laryngeal pathology was the most commonly found alteration, while 3 patients had neurological conditions.
VFD and FEES are complementary tests, essential to diagnose anatomical defects, and are the only objective way to confirm or exclude aspiration. FEES in pediatrics has specific characteristics and requires experience to perform and interpret.
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