Sonographic analysis of hyoid bone movement during swallowing

金沢大学医薬保健研究域保健学系Purpose: Videofluoroscopy is generally considered a "gold standard" technique; however t technique exposes subjects to radiation. Ultrasonography is applied widely in clinical practice because of low cost, safety of the technique, and absence of radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate hyoid bone movement trajectories during swallowing in healthy subjects using ultrasonography.Subject and Methods: Data were obtained from 15 healthy volunteers (mean age: 34.9± 9.3).The subjects were divided into 3 groups: 5 subjects in their 20s, 5 subjects in their 30s and 5 subjects in their 40s. The subjects were examined while sitting in an upright position, with the back against a wall to control movement. The transducer was placed in a longitudinal scan above the larynx. The hyoid bone was identified on the scan as a high echoic area with posterior acoustic shadow. Then, the subjects swallowed 5 mL of mineral water, with a measurement frequency of 5 times. The digital-ultrasonographic recordings were viewed at 30 frames/s for 3 seconds. Results: The movement was divided into 4 phases: A, slowly ascending phase; B, rapidly ascending phase; C, temporary pause phase (position of maximum rise); D, rapid and slow descending shifts toward the resting position phase. We easily visualized the hyoid bone trajectory using ultrasonography. In all cases, ultrasonographic analysis of the hyoid bone was confirmed to have a similar trajectory as determined with videofluoroscopy. Ultrasonography can accurately determine swallowing duration and trajectory of hyoid bone movement. There was a significant difference in swallowing duration between the 20s groups and 30s groups and between the 20s groups and 40s groups (P < 0.05). However, the difference between the 30s group and 40s group was not significant (P=0.87).Conclusion: The results show that the dynamic phase image of the hyoid bone movement can be revealed by ultrasonographic visualization. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Fractional Absorption of Active Absorbable Algal Calcium (AAACa) and Calcium Carbonate Measured by a Dual Stable-Isotope Method

With the use of stable isotopes, this study aimed to compare the bioavailability of active absorbable algal calcium (AAACa), obtained from oyster shell powder heated to a high temperature, with an additional heated seaweed component (Heated Algal Ingredient, HAI), with that of calcium carbonate. In 10 postmenopausal women volunteers aged 59 to 77 years (mean ± S.D., 67 ± 5.3), the fractional calcium absorption of AAACa and CaCO3 was measured by a dual stable isotope method. 44Ca-enriched CaCO3 and AAACa were administered in all subjects one month apart. After a fixed-menu breakfast and pre-test urine collection (Urine 0), 42Ca-enriched CaCl2 was intravenously injected, followed by oral administration of 44Ca-enriched CaCO3 without carrier 15 minutes later, and complete urine collection for the next 24 hours (Urine 24). The fractional calcium absorption was calculated as the ratio of Augmentation of 44Ca from Urine 0 to Urine 24/ augmentation of 42Ca from Urine 0 to Urine 24. Differences and changes of 44Ca and 42Ca were corrected by comparing each with 43Ca. Fractional absorption of AAACa (mean ± S.D., 23.1 ± 6.4), was distinctly and significantly higher than that of CaCO3 (14.7 ± 6.4; p = 0.0060 by paired t-test). The mean fractional absorption was approximately 1.57-times higher for AAACa than for CaCO3. The serum 25(OH) vitamin D level was low (mean ± S.D., 14.2 ± 4.95 ng/ml), as is common in this age group in Japan. Among the parameters of the bone and mineral metabolism measured, none displayed a significant correlation with the fractional absorption of CaCO3 and AAACa. Higher fractional absorption of AAACa compared with CaCO3 supports previous reports on the more beneficial effect of AAACa than CaCO3 for osteoporosis

Sonographic assessment of hyoid bone movement during swallowing: a study of normal adults with advancing age

金沢大学医薬保健研究域保健学系Our aim in this study was to evaluate hyoid bone movement trajectories and the age-related changes during swallowing in healthy subjects by ultrasonography. Data were obtained from 30 healthy volunteers (15 men, 15 women) in three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79 years). The subjects were examined while sitting in an upright position, with the back against a wall to control movement. The transducer was placed in a longitudinal scan above the larynx. The subjects were then given 5 mL of mineral water. The water bolus was held in their mouth until they were forced to do a rapid swallow. The imaging was repeated five times for averaging. The movement was divided into 4 phases: slowly ascending phase (A-B, Elevation); rapidly ascending phase (B-C, Anterior); temporary pause phase (position of maximum rise, Remain); and rapidly and slowly descending shifts toward the resting position phase (C-D, Return). We easily visualized the hyoid bone trajectory by using ultrasonography. In all cases, ultrasonographic analysis of the hyoid bone was confirmed to have a similar trajectory, as determined with videofluoroscopy. The average swallowing duration measurements increased with age. The measurement of the maximally elevated point of the hyoid bone decreased with age. The movement of the hyoid bone during swallowing can be visualized by US. The trajectory of the hyoid bone in sagittal section indicated the capability of swallowing, and may detect some anomalies in swallowing. © 2010 Japanese Society of Radiological Technology and Japan Society of Medical Physics