Facilitation of oral sensitivity by electrical stimulation of the faucial pillars

Dysphagia is common in neurological disease. However, our understanding of swallowing and its central nervous control is limited. Sensory information plays a vital role in the initiation of the swallowing reflex and is often reduced in stroke patients. We hypothesized that the sensitivity threshold of the anterior faucial pillar could be facilitated by either electrical stimulation (ES) or taste and smell information. The sensitivity threshold was measured by ES in the anterior faucial pillar region. The measurement was repeated 5 min after baseline. Thirty minutes after baseline, the participants underwent a test for taste and smell. Immediately after the test, the ES was repeated. Thirty healthy volunteers with a mean age of 27 ± 5.1 participated in the trial. Mean sensitivity threshold at baseline was 1.9 ± 0.59 mA. The values 5 min after baseline (1.74 ± 0.56 mA, p = 0.027) and 30 min after baseline (1.67 ± 0.58 mA, p = 0.011) were significantly lower compared to the baseline, but there was no difference between the latter (p = 0.321). After 5 min, a potentially facilitating effect was found on oral sensitivity by ES of the faucial pillar area. Thirty minutes later, this effect was still present.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03240965. Registered 7th August 2017—https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03240965.

Facilitation of Oral Sensitivity by Electrical Stimulation of the Faucial Pillars

BackgroundDysphagia is common in neurological disease. However, our understanding of swallowing and its central nervous control is limited. Sensory information plays a vital role in the initiation of the swallowing reflex and is often reduced in stroke patients. We hypothesized that the sensitivity threshold of the anterior faucial pillar could be facilitated by either electrical stimulation (ES) or taste and smell information.MethodsThe sensitivity threshold was measured by ES in the anterior faucial pillar region. The measurement was repeated 5 minutes after baseline. Thirty minutes after baseline, the participants underwent a test for taste and smell. Immediately after the test, the ES was repeated. ResultsThirty healthy volunteers with a mean age of 27±5.1 participated in the trial. Mean sensitivity threshold at baseline was 1.9mA ± 0.59mA. The values 5 minutes after baseline (1.74mA ± 0.56mA, p=0.027) and 30 minutes after baseline (1.67mA ± 0.58mA, p=0.011) were significantly lower compared to the baseline, but there was no difference between the latter (p=0.321).Conclusion After 5 minutes, a potentially facilitating effect was found on oral sensitivity by ES of the faucial pillar area. Thirty minutes later, this effect was still present.

Hypoglossia with Mandibular and Palatal Abnormalities

ABSTRACT Tongue is the most mobile organ of the body with multiple functions, such as speech, mastication, taste and swallowing. Numerous congenital and developmental disorders of the tongue have been reported in literature. Hypoglossia, also known as microglossia, is one of the rare anomalies. Usually hypoglossia is associated with many other systemic abnormalities but rarely found as an isolated entity. Lack of tongue development leads to decreased mandibular growth. The aim of this article is to report a rare case of isolated hypoglossia and resultant micrognathia. Presence of palatal and faucial pillar abnormalities with hypoglossia which is extremely rare is also highlighted in our report. How to cite this article Shetty S, Anusha RL, Thomas PS, Babu SG. Hypoglossia with Mandibular and Palatal Abnormalities. Int J Phonosurg and Laryngol 2012;2(2):85-87.