Table 3.
Details of VFSS parameters associated with swallowing process
| Parameter of swallowing process | Definition | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Oral phase | ||
| Lip closure | Labial seal to ensure that no food or liquid falls from the mouth | Complete/incomplete |
| Bolus formation | Mastication and preparation of a semicohesive bolus or ball | Adequate/inadequate |
| Oral cavity residue | Barium residue exists on the floor of the mouth, tongue, hard palate, and anterolateral sulcus | None/exist |
| Pharyngeal phase | ||
| Triggering of pharyngeal swallow | The timing of triggering of pharyngeal swallow (Elevation and anterior movement of hyoid and larynx with bolus head passing the spot where the lower edge of the mandible crosses the tongue base) | Normal (< 0.5 s)/delayed (≥ 0.5 s) |
| Laryngeal elevation | Getting closer and tilting forward of the arytenoids to the base of epiglottis and closing the airway as larynx elevates | Intact (≥ 2 cm)/Decreased (< 2 cm) |
| Residue in vallecula and pyriform sinus | Barium residue on vallecula and pyriform sinus after swallowing | Grade 0: none; Grade 1: < 10% of bolus: grade 2: 10% to 50% of bolus: grade 3: > 50% of bolus |
| Pharyngeal wall coating | Barium is coated the pharyngeal wall after swallowing | None/exist |