Exploration of the Diagnostic Capabilities of Ultrasound of the Oropharynx and Larynx
Studies conducted using ultrasound imaging at the NIH, Departments of Rehabilitation
Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology, have demonstrated that ultrasound imaging can be used
reliably to study speech and swallowing impairments in a variety of conditions and diseases.
Since ultrasound is non-invasive with no reported bioeffects, it can be used repeatedly to
follow the progression of a disease. Ultrasound imaging of the oral cavity during speech
and swallowing allows easy visualization of the tongue/hyoid bone motion and transport of
the bolus during swallowing and tongue surface configuration during speech. Images can be
obtained in several planes for viewing muscular coordination and timing and specific
measures can be obtained from digitized video images. Thus it has widespread clinical
research implications for patients with disorders affecting the oral peripheral muscles,
salivary gland flow and the central nervous system control of speech and swallowing. While
ultrasound technology has been used extensively in Europe to evaluate tumors of the head and
neck, its use in this country has been marginal. We plan to compare ultrasound evaluation
of tumor staging, tumor volume, and tumor recurrence in patients with tumors of the larynx,
oral cavity and hypopharynx. Currently, this is accomplished by CT or MRI scanning
procedures. We plan to compare CT/MRI results with ultrasound to determine if this
non-invasive technique can be utilized reliably for diagnosis and tracking of oropharyngeal
tumors.
Observational
N/A
United States: Federal Government
790101
NCT00001167
August 1979
November 2004
Name | Location |
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Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center (CC) | Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |