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Phagophobia

October 20, 2015 by Erin Walsh

Speech Pathologists in the medical environment spend the vast majority of the day evaluating and treating patients with Dysphagia. While the underlying etiology and presenting symptoms may vary, the therapeutic methodologies embrace overlapping themes. Less commonly, SLP’s are asked to alleviate swallowing difficulties in individuals with no detectable physiologic pathology as evidenced by objective testing. These patients are likely suffering from a rare condition known as phagophobia.

Phagophobia is a word that comes from Greek phagein, “eat” and phobos, “fear”. It is a fear of swallowing, expressed in various symptoms without any apparent physical reason detectable by physical inspection and clinical analyses. Other terms used to define this disorder include: functional dysphagia, choking phobia, pseudodysphagia and sitophobia. The most common complaints of the condition include difficulty with swallow initiation, abnormal oral behaviors, repetitive lingual movements, complaints of throat pressure and globus (Barofsky and Fontaine, 1998). The by-product of these symptoms functionally manifest in food/texture avoidance, severe anxiety, weight loss and malnutrition. Phagophobia is registered in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The disorder is more common in females vs. males. Onset can range across the lifespan from childhood to geriatric. While incidence rates are extremely low, many patients are incorrectly diagnosed with this disorder and are later found to have an organic source of symptoms. The need to perform a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment is paramount in order to ensure that patients receive a correct diagnosis and restorative plan of care.

Some have equated the symptoms of phagophobia with those of a conversion disorder. The premise being that an individual subconsciously transforms psychological conflicts revolving around the act of eating, into somatic symptoms. Researchers have begun to challenge the historic notions of the disorder with clinical studies targeting brain function in these individuals. One study investigated cortical activity in patients suffering from phagophobia. They were able to identify objective changes in brain activity specifically in the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the premotor cortex of the R. Hemisphere. These represent the areas of the brain responsible for proprioception and coordination of temporal sequences and volitional oral-phase swallowing behaviors. (Sunstrup, 2014). Another interesting study by Leopold looked at broadening the traditional patterns of swallow sequencing beyond three phases. Their theory was that clinicians should integrate pre-oral and preparatory phases as part of the swallowing continuum. These crucial precursors to swallowing involve complex somatosensory inputs that can translate into altered motor programming. Patients who sustain repetitive negative stimuli/experiences relating to the act of swallowing may develop this complex disorder that manifests as phagophobia. These studies provide clinicians with heightened insight into the complexity of the condition and offer some clear direction regarding treatment. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of clinical efficacy studies highlighting treatment strategies to rehabilitate swallowing function in these individuals. Those that exist have extremely small sample sizes with limited SLP involvement. The vast majority identified combined methods of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy as being the most effective tools in resolving symptoms of phagophobia. Historically, the role of SLPs in managing this disorder has been questionable. How do we address these patients’ unique complaints in the context of normal/intact swallowing physiology? In many cases, SLPs have opted to refer these patients to a mental health specialist under the premise that skilled dysphagia services were contraindicated. Today, SLPs are reevaluating this position and joining forces with mental health providers to offer patients therapy that addresses underlying swallowing anxieties in concert with oral-motor retraining and exposures to challenge foods and textures. This approach carries enormous promise as an efficacious therapeutic modality that restores normal eating/swallowing behavior through both cognitive and sensorimotor retraining.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Phagophobia

May 29, 2015 by Erin Walsh

Speech Pathologists in the medical environment spend the vast majority of the day evaluating and treating patients with Dysphagia. While the underlying etiology and presenting symptoms may vary, the therapeutic methodologies embrace overlapping themes. Less commonly, SLP’s are asked to alleviate swallowing difficulties in individuals with no detectable physiologic pathology as evidenced by objective testing. These patients are likely suffering from a rare condition known as phagophobia.

 

Phagophobia is a word that comes from Greek phagein, “eat” and phobos, “fear”. It is a fear of swallowing, expressed in various symptoms without any apparent physical reason detectable by physical inspection and clinical analyses. Other terms used to define this disorder include: functional dysphagia, choking phobia, pseudodysphagia and sitophobia. The most common complaints of the condition include difficulty with swallow initiation, abnormal oral behaviors, repetitive lingual movements, complaints of throat pressure and globus (Barofsky and Fontaine, 1998). The by-product of these symptoms functionally manifest in food/texture avoidance, severe anxiety, weight loss and malnutrition. Phagophobia is registered in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The disorder is more common in females vs. males. Onset can range across the lifespan from childhood to geriatric. While incidence rates are extremely low, many patients are incorrectly diagnosed with this disorder and are later found to have an organic source of symptoms. The need to perform a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment is paramount in order to ensure that patients receive a correct diagnosis and restorative plan of care.

 

Some have equated the symptoms of phagophobia with those of a conversion disorder. The premise being that an individual subconsciously transforms psychological conflicts revolving around the act of eating, into somatic symptoms. Researchers have begun to challenge the historic notions of the disorder with clinical studies targeting brain function in these individuals. One study investigated cortical activity in patients suffering from phagophobia. They were able to identify objective changes in brain activity specifically in the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the premotor cortex of the R. Hemisphere. These represent the areas of the brain responsible for proprioception and coordination of temporal sequences and volitional oral-phase swallowing behaviors. (Sunstrup, 2014). Another interesting study by Leopold looked at broadening the traditional patterns of swallow sequencing beyond three phases. Their theory was that clinicians should integrate pre-oral and preparatory phases as part of the swallowing continuum. These crucial precursors to swallowing involve complex somatosensory inputs that can translate into altered motor programming. Patients who sustain repetitive negative stimuli/experiences relating to the act of swallowing may develop this complex disorder that manifests as phagophobia. These studies provide clinicians with heightened insight into the complexity of the condition and offer some clear direction regarding treatment. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of clinical efficacy studies highlighting treatment strategies to rehabilitate swallowing function in these individuals. Those that exist have extremely small sample sizes with limited SLP involvement. The vast majority identified combined methods of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy as being the most effective tools in resolving symptoms of phagophobia. Historically, the role of SLPs in managing this disorder has been questionable. How do we address these patients’ unique complaints in the context of normal/intact swallowing physiology? In many cases, SLPs have opted to refer these patients to a mental health specialist under the premise that skilled dysphagia services were contraindicated. Today, SLPs are reevaluating this position and joining forces with mental health providers to offer patients therapy that addresses underlying swallowing anxieties in concert with oral-motor retraining and exposures to challenge foods and textures. This approach carries enormous promise as an efficacious therapeutic modality that restores normal eating/swallowing behavior through both cognitive and sensorimotor retraining.

Filed Under: Newsletter

High Resolution Manometry to Manage Complex Dysphagia

May 17, 2015 by Erin Walsh

Course Description

This presentation reviews how high-resolution manometry (HRM) transitioned from a research technology to a clinical tool. The opportunity to measure pressures may provide the clinician a more complete profile for planning treatment for patients with complex dysphagia. Case examples are presented to demonstrate the opportunities manometry offers to investigate pressure events during swallowing.

Time ordered agenda

15 minutes – Evolution of HRM for oral-pharyngeal disorders
15 minutes – Techniques and competencies to perform HRM
15 minutes – Case studies
15 minutes  –  Question and answer

Learning Objectives

1) Describe how HRM permits visualization of the pharynx amid 12 sensors.
2) Develop protocol for GI collaboration and training to integrate HRM for oral-pharyngeal disorders.
3) Verbalize patient populations for which HRM is inappropriate.

Disclosures

Molly Knigge, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Financial: Employed at University of Wisconson Madison Medical Center
Non-Financial: Nothing to disclose

Endo Education logo short

Filed Under: Uncategorized

iVoiceTherapy Webinar 2.12.15

February 16, 2015 by Erin Walsh

Course Description:

This webinar is designed for clinicians to develop care programs for hypophonia within iVoiceTherapy.  It is also applicable for any neurogenic disturbance altering other speech subsystems.  Features to enhance compliance with these populations include the built in sound level meter, pitch monitor, journal, voice recorder and audio exercises.  Specific case examples will reflect therapeutic strategies based on medical history.  Should you be unavailable on the scheduled webinar date, this course will available at endo-education.com/online-ceus/ until 2.12.16.  Course 0041.  0.1 ASHA CEUs.  (Introductory level; Professional area).

Time ordered agenda:

12:00 – 12:15   Patient selection:  PD stage, stimulability, family support.
12:15 – 12:30   Programming tasks and exercises
12:30 – 12:45   Case studies
12:45 – 13:00   Question and Answer

Learning Objectives

1) Verbalize appropriate candidates for voice therapy and iVT use to augment care of Parkinson’s disease.
2) Predict timeline of improvement with combination of in-person and iVT care plans.
3) Independently program exercises, alarms, voice files and settings in iVT for Parkinson’s patients.

Disclosures:

This presentation will focus solely on the product iVoiceTherapy and will not include information on other similar or related products.

Liza Blumenfeld
Financial:  Partnership with Sinnova, which receives royalties from sale of iVoiceTherapy.
Non-financial:  Owner of Endo Education, host of iVoiceTherapy training.

Erin Walsh
Financial:  Partnership with Sinnova, which receives royalties from sale of iVoiceTherapy.
Non-financial:  Owner of Endo Education, host of iVoiceTherapy training.

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 Download PDF

POST-TEST, COURSE EVALUATION, CEUs, PRINT CERTIFICATE

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Aspiration Pneumonia in Patients with Dysphagia

December 9, 2014 by Erin Walsh

Course Description

This hour webinar was hosted by the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders and featured Tiffany Mohr, a medical speech pathologist, with extensive experience in complex swallowing disorders.  It is appropriate for introductory level clinicians seeking review of lung physiology, phases of swallowing and risk factors for aspiration developing into a pneumonia.  Ms. Mohr provides guidance on other types of pneumonia and how they are distinctly different from those related to aspiration.  She discusses aspiration risks based on specific populations including stroke and cancer.  The webinar concludes with a 30 minute question and answer session.  The audience was a mixture of patients, caregivers and speech pathologists.

Time ordered agenda

15 minutes – Basic lung function and swallow physiology.
10 minutes – Pneumonia acquisition.
5 minutes – Medical co-morbidities and aspiration pneumonia.
30 minutes  –  Question and answer

Learning Objectives

1) Describe normal reflex when foreign material enters lungs.
2) Differentiate types of pneumonia and how each are acquired.
3) Verbalize 3 risk factors for development of aspiration pneumonia.

Disclosures

Tiffany Mohr, MA, CCC-SLP
Financial: Nothing to disclose
Non-Financial: Nothing to disclose

Endo Education logo short

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Masood Mansour, MD

November 9, 2014 by Erin Walsh

IMG_2715Presenter:  Masood Mansour, MD, GastroenterologistCoastal Gastroenterology & Scripps Center for Voice, Swallowing and MotilityDr. Mansour graduated from UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in 2007.  Upon completion of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology residencies at Scripps Clinic, he developed interests in esophageal manometry and pH testing.  In 2014, he joined Scripps Center for Voice, Swallowing & Motility where he conducts a weekly multidisciplinary clinic with speech-language pathologists.  Cases seen at the clinic include reflux, irritable larynx, pharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia, cough, achalasia and esophageal spasms.  Dr. Mansour performs esophagogastroduodenoscopy, high resolution manometry, impedance and pH testing to diagnose their conditions and develop care plans.  He works closely with a laparoscopic surgeon and periodically refers patients for myotomies, fundoplications and LINX procedures.

Case:  Healthy 19yo male with 10 month history of chest pain, nausea, vomiting and dysphagia.  He struggles to consume both liquids and solids, resulting in a 30lb weight loss.  Trial of PPI and Reglan did not improve his symptoms.  EGD 4 weeks ago revealed mild gastritis.  Biopsies were normal.  Esophagram demonstrated poor lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.
PMH:  Generally unremarkable.  Ear infections.
Social:  Sophmore in college.
High Resolution Manometry:

mansour case

Treatment:  Discussed with patient and his family variety of options to manage his condition.  1)  Botox – not recommended due to age and need for repeat injections  2) Pneumatic dilation – norms for good response to this therapy are on females older than 45.  There is risk of perforation and it is likely repeat dilations will be required.  3) Myotomy with partial fundoplication – long-term solution to his condition.  This was the recommended course of therapy.  Risk of post-operative reflux was discussed.  After speaking with the laparoscopic surgeon, the family ultimately decided on option #3.

Surgery:  Uncomplicated laparoscopic esophageal Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication.  Initiated a soft diet on post-op day 1.  Mild abdominal epigastic tenderness and discomfort so on post-op day 2 underwent esophagram to assure no leak.  The study revealed no obstruction and no Gastrografin leak.  He was discharged home on post-op day 2.

Outcome:  11 days after surgery feels well, no fatigue or pain.  Nausea and vomiting resolved.  He is able to eat and drink anything.  Although he has not gained weight, he exhibits an appropriate body mass index.  Prior to developing achalasia, he was approximately 20lbs overweight.

Filed Under: Voice & Swallowing Grand Rounds

Ever wish you could ride on your patient’s shoulder?

November 6, 2014 by Erin Walsh

We all know that the rise and influence of mobile technology is astounding. Our smart phones are extrinsically becoming an extension of ourselves. Our smart phones have allowed us to do everything from listen to specially tailored radio stations to monitoring our daily calories and movement patterns. The power of this technology is extraordinary. It allows for immediate and constant access to the services and interests that we select. It is not surprising that the power of mobile app technology has been well integrated into the healthcare arena. Patients are now able to monitor their heart rates, check their blood sugar levels and get daily reminders to take their medications. Preliminary research studies have validated that patients are more likely to demonstrate compliance and clinical advancement with use of this technology. It is a powerful vehicle to maintain strong contact between the patient and the medical provider. The most recent wave of applications has now taken residence within the world of skilled voice therapy.

 

iVoiceTherapy is designed to provide clinicians with a unique opportunity to customize a dedicated voice therapy home exercise regimen in an educational and engaging format. It is perfect for all individuals seeking restoration of speaking or singing voice quality. The application blends core elements that translate into optimal levels of patient compliance. They include, exercise programming/cueing, patient education and biofeedback. Clinicians are able to program various settings that will cue patients to perform specific exercises at designated times. Patients’ receive visual and auditory messages prompting the performance of tasks. After completion, each encounter is time dated and stamped for subsequent review with the treating clinician.

 

iVoiceTherapy offers patients the ability to view and explore a gallery of laryngeal pathologies as well as a broad array of educational materials designed to promote enhanced awareness and overall level of engagement. It allows patients to visualize the nature of their impairments as a way of reaffirming their commitment to voice restoration. Similarly, iVoiceTherapy employs a variety of aids to foster understanding and subsequent compliance with designated behaviors to improve laryngeal hygiene and posture.

 

The application is well suited for individuals who sustain acute or chronic voice changes associated with a broad array of diagnoses including traumatic vocal fold lesions, muscle tension dysphonia, Irritable larynx syndrome as well as professional and avocational singers. iVoiceTherapy is designed to be a physician and clinician driven platform that is specially tailored by the medical team. Clinicians are able to identify patients who would benefit from the regimen and suggest download from the iTunes store. Once downloaded, the application will be programmed by the treating clinician to ensure that all salient issues are addressed. Patients are instructed to perform exercises and document progress on a daily basis. This allows both parties to review progress during subsequent visits. The application is fluid in that it can be reprogrammed in order to assist with progression towards stated goals.

 

iVoiceTherapy also serves as an excellent desk reference for clinicians who encounter voice disorders less frequently.  The ear training and pathology labs permit familiarity with the most commonly encountered voice conditions.  Navigation through the Exercises tab provides auditory modeling of resonant voice therapy, paradoxical vocal fold movement strategies, cough suppression, flexibility/strengthening tasks and singing regimens.

 

iVoiceTherapy is currently available on the iTunes store for $12.99. It is optimized for an iPhone.  The application will also work on an iPad.

 

 

Filed Under: Newsletter

Motility Disorders in Dysphagia and Dysphonia

April 5, 2014 by Erin Walsh

Speech Pathologists routinely encounter patients who present with well-defined voice and swallowing disturbances fueled by motility disorders. However, capturing objective information about esophageal function can often be difficult and frustrating for both the patient and the clinician. There are a variety of reasons for this: 1. There are a limited number of Otolaryngologists and Gastroenterologists that specialize in esophageal motility 2. Technology that evaluates these disorders is expensive and requires specialty-trained staff. 3. Motility testing is rarely housed within a dedicated voice and swallowing center which creates a challenge in multidisciplinary collaboration and communication.

Understanding the role of motility disorders in co-existing dysphagia and dysphonia is imperative. The esophagus is a muscular tube that extends from the neck to the abdomen and connects the back of the throat to the stomach. The upper and lower most segments are high-pressure sphincters that are tonically contracted at rest and provide protection against back flow of material. When a person swallows, the coordinated muscular contractions of the esophagus propel the food or fluid from the throat to the stomach. If the muscular contractions become disrupted or weak, patients may experience a variety of symptoms. Acid regurgitation may or may not be reported. Patients may come into the speech pathology clinic complaining of chronic, refractory cough, persistent dysphonia and laryngospasm, as of which may be directly fueled or exacerbated by motility disorders.

High resolution manometry is an invaluable tool that allows for detailed evaluation of pressure and motor function within the esophagus and can help in diagnosing complex disorders including: GERD/LPR, Hiatal Hernia, Nutcracker esophagus and Achalasia. pH testing similarly generates objective quantification of reflux events that occur over an extended period of time. Together, these tools provide the SLP with essential information that allows for the most accurate assessment and understanding of complex voice and swallowing disorders. It also allows for sound, mutli-disciplinary treatment planning in order to generate the most ideal clinical outcomes.  -Liza Blumenfeld

Filed Under: Newsletter

Alternative singing styles can be perfectly healthy

November 12, 2013 by Erin Walsh

Recently I had the pleasure of working with a brilliant woman enjoying a successful singing career as an avante-garde performer with trademark vocal acrobatics and multiphonics.  Through experimentation, she taught herself to produce different tones simultaneously.  Once you listen to her unusual vocal style, you may assume misuse generated her referral.  Not so.  And I am certainly in no place to advise her to discontinue a performance style she is passionate about and has never left a shred of vocal pathology.  On the contrary, I was grateful to learn from her skill to share with other vocalists how to safely produce tones some may classify as screaming.  I have seen these produced in unhealthy manners with devastating after effects, namely hemorrhaging and vocal cord scarring.  A singing sample and her laryngeal videostroboscopy are provided below.  There two aspects of her endoscopy you may find intriguing.  First, her vocal cords are in pristine condition.  They are pearly white and exhibit healthy edges.  The edges of the vocal cords are generally where a pathology would arise from overuse due to repeated forceful closure.  Secondly, when I ask her to reproduce simultaneous pitches, you will notice she elicits two vibrations in different quadrants of the vocal cords.  Generally, we see one vibratory collision involving the entire true vocal cord.  I was grateful for this opportunity to work with such an energetic performer and explore the technical skill of her vocal style.  -Erin Walsh


https://endo-education.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Avante-Garde.mp3

Filed Under: Newsletter

Priya Krishna, MD, MS, FACS

October 13, 2013 by TFadmin

PriyaKrishna_resizedPresenter:  Priya Krishna, MD, MS, FACS

Director of Voice & Swallowing Center at Loma Linda Medical Center

Dr. Krishna is board certified in otolaryngology and completed a prestigious two year fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center under Clark Rosen, M.D., F.A.C.S. Prior to this she completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Dr. Krishna served as faculty in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2006 to 2011 while concurrently completing a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research.  Dr. Krishna specializes in surgical and medical care of voice, airway and swallowing disorders including phonomicrosurgery of benign and early malignant lesions of the vocal folds, office laser based procedures for laryngeal pathology, endoscopic treatment of airway stenosis and neurological disorders of the larynx. She has a special research interest in treatment of vocal fold scarring and related wound healing disorders of the larynx and has been funded extramurally (including federal) for her work in the past.


CASE:
  23 y/o female swim instructor presents with complaints of trouble projecting voice, vocal fatigue with use and progression over 6 months. Voice rest is helpful.

PMH: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, antiphospholipid antibody positive, hx of pulmonary embolism

ROS: unremarkable except for HPI

ALLERGIES: humira, rituximab

MEDS: abatacept, calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate, plaquenil, levonorgestrel, prednisone, warfarin

SOCIAL: non smoker, social ETOH, swim instructor with high voice demands.

SELF RATINGS: Voice Handicap Index-10 = 33 Reflux Symptom Index = 9

PHYSICAL EXAM: hoarse voice, scant intranasal mucus, otherwise unremarkable

STROBE: Bilateral mid membranous vocal fold lesions with decreased mucosal wave and amplitude.  Hourglass glottal closure.  Left VF lesion larger in size than right vocal fold lesion.  Bilateral vocal fold erythema, edema and moderate varices.  Normal mobility of bilateral vocal folds.

TX RECOMMENDED:  Microflap excision of bilateral vocal folds lesions and bilateral fat implantation followed by voice therapy.  Second option was injection of vocal folds with steroids, which may take multiple treatments but can also be effective.  Pt desired a one time surgical treatment.

SURGERY:  Pt underwent microsuspension direct laryngoscopy with microflap excision of bilateral vocal fold lesions, abdominal fat harvest with bilateral fat implantation.

C_T_OR1 C_T_OR3 C_T_OR4

OUTCOME:  Pathology c/w vocal fold cysts with elements of rheumatoid nodules (multinucleated giant cells).

1st POST-OP SELF-RATINGS:  Voice Handicap Index -10 = 38  Reflux Symptom Index = 7

STROBE:  Exam indicates healing vocal folds with reaction to fat and suture but good augmentation both vocal folds; lack of mucosal wave bilateral and “splinting” posture of larynx.

2nd POST-OP SELF-RATINGS:  Voice Handicap Index -10 = 29  Reflux Symptom Index =not completed

STROBE:  Decreased edema and erythema of bilateral vocal folds, decreased mucosal wave.  Much improved from previous postoperative exam.

FOLLOW-UP:  Continues to improve with time and voice therapy.

Filed Under: Voice & Swallowing Grand Rounds

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