Exploration of the Diagnostic Capabilities of Ultrasound of the Oropharynx and Larynx

Inclusion Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Normal volunteers:

Normal volunteers ages 21 to 85 may be asked to participate in a study of speech and
swallowing utilizing a traditional clinical examination of oral-motor performance. If the
subjects are without deficits in dental occlusion, speech articulation, tongue and lip
strength, tongue and lip mobility, palatal function and oral sensation they will be asked
to participate in an ultrasonic evaluation of tongue/hyoid interaction during swallowing
and speech.

Children will be included if they are referred with a medical condition that affects the
oral pharyngeal phase of swallowing, voice production or laryngeal function and the
investigator needs to evaluate functional performance and safety for oral feeding.

Neurological Group:

Subjects aged 6 to 85 with diagnosed developmental, neuromotor, systemic, genetic,
neurologic, structural and post surgical dysfunction who have deficits in speech
(dysarthria) and/or swallow (dysphagia) may be asked to participate in this study of
ultrasonic imaging. Aging patients with and without dementia may also be studied.
Patients with Post Polio Syndrome, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Toricollis, Cerebellar
Degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, ALS, Cystinosis, are
among the conditions of interest. Subjects with complaints of oral dryness, and patients
who have undergone mandibular and oral surgery may also be studied during swallowing.

Oropharyngeal/Laryngeal Tumors:

Patients will be seen who are enrolled in NCI and NIDCD protocols for head and neck
tumors.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Normal Subjects:

Hearing impairment reported (above 40 db, bilaterally)

Dentures

Oral Prosthesis

Palatal surgery or other restorative dental surgery

Radial neck dissection, glossectomy

Tumor or masses in neck or tongue

Cerebral vascular attack

Stuttering

Non-English speaker

Childhood articulation impairment