Author(s)
Fahad Rind
Charles Bradshaw
Jack Birkenbeuel
Mayuri Srikanth
Emily Plowman
Apoorva Ramaswamy
Affiliation(s)
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH;
Abstract:
Objective: Dysphagia in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is detrimental to quality of life and can cause aspiration pneumonia and lifelong tube feed dependence. Balloon dilation represents a safe treatment for dysphagia in HNC survivors. To evaluate the impact of balloon dilatation of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) on patient reported swallowing impairment in HNC survivors with dysphagia.
Method: A retrospective chart review of HNC patients who were underwent UES balloon dilation procedures between August 2021 and May 2022 was conducted. The validated Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey ratings were indexed before and after balloon dilation procedures.
Results: A total of 63 cases were identified who underwent balloon dilations only and who completed the EAT-10 before and after dilation procedures (83% male, mean age: 67.4 years ± 10.1). The most common anatomic site of primary cancer was the oropharynx (n = 27) followed closely by the larynx (n = 21). In total, 59 patients had a confirmed treatment history of radiation therapy, either as adjuvant therapy (n=41, 65.1%) or primary radiation therapy (n=18, 28.6%). A significant decrease in the mean EAT-10 score was observed before (24.1 ± 9.0) versus after (19.9 ± 9.3) balloon dilation procedures (mean difference: 4.14, p<0.01).
Conclusion: In this cohort of HNC survivors with dysphagia, balloon dilation reduced patient perceived dysphagia severity.