Koichi Yabunaka PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hiromi Sanada PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shigeru Sanada PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Stockholder, Hologic, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA

Hideki Konishi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rumi Gotanda, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mutsumi Ohue, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The movement of the hyoid bone by surrounding muscles, including the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles, plays an important role in swallowing. More specifically, digastric, stylohyoid, geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles of the suprahyoid muscle group primarily assist elevation of the hyoid bone, as well as widening of the esophagus during swallowing. Although ultrasonographic imaging has the advantage of being a quick screening tool that can be used safely and easily at the bedside, few studies have analyzed hyoid muscle movement with this technique. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of B+M-mode ultrasound (B/M-mode) imaging as a new approach to quantify activity patterns of the geniohyoid muscles during swallowing and to assess how these patterns changed with regards to age and gender.  

Sixty healthy volunteers (30 men, 30 women) divided into three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79 yrs) were examined while sitting in an upright position, with their back against a wall to control movement. A transducer was placed in a longitudinal scan above the larynx. The subjects were then given 10 mL of mineral water. The water bolus was held in their mouth and then forced into a rapid swallow. Ultrasonographic imaging was repeated three times for an average of measurements, and simultaneous B/M-mode images were captured at two regions along the lateral geniohyoid muscle wall. All geniohyoid muscle movement was recorded by real-time B/M-mode.

In all cases, ultrasonographic images of the geniohyoid muscle movement during swallowing were easily visualized using the real-time B/M-mode. The average contractional moving distance and duration of movement of the geniohyoid muscle increased gradually with age. There was a significant difference in ultrasonic measurements of the moving distance and the duration of movement during swallowing, between male and females in the three age groups (P < 0.05).

B/M-mode imaging provides a simple, noninvasive technique to visually assess the lateral geniohyoid muscle wall and may provide a clinical method for evaluating direct swallowing.  

This study presents a technique for evaluating rehabilitation processes including compensatory swallowing strategies, which may prove useful for patients with dysphagia or other swallowing disorders.

Yabunaka, K, Sanada, H, Sanada, S, Konishi, H, Gotanda, R, Ohue, M, Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Geniohyoid Muscle Movement during Swallowing  .  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9008113.html