INTRODUÇÂO: Alguns fatores como paridade, cirurgias pélvicas e hipoestrogenismo têm uma relação direta e bem estabelecida com disfunções da musculatura do assoalho pélvico. Outros fatores como o aumento da pressão intra-abdominal, tal como o que ocorre na obesidade, também podem se associar às disfunções do assoalho pélvico. No entanto, distúrbios da defecação e da continência fecal não são muito bem estudados nesse grupo de pacientes. Assim, a manometria anorretal pode avaliar as disfunções do assoalho pélvico nesse grupo. Logo, o objetivo do presente estudo é comparar resultados clínicos e manométricos em obesos graus II e III, com indicação de cirurgia bariátrica, com pessoas não obesas. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle entre pacientes obesos graus II e III, com indicação de cirurgia bariátrica, e pessoas não obesas, sem sintomas anorretais, pareados por idade e sexo. O número de 26 pacientes em cada grupo foi previamente calculado, através de análise estatística. Os critérios de inclusão foram sexo masculino, mulheres nulíparas e ausência de cirurgia abdominal e anorretal prévias. O grupo de pessoas não obesas se compôs de pessoas sem sintomas de constipação intestinal, ou de distúrbios do assoalho pélvico, acrescido aos mesmos já estabelecidos no grupo de obesos. Realizou-se a manometria anorretal com a técnica estacionária e com cateter de oito canais radiais. RESULTADOS: A média de idade no grupo de obesos foi de 44,8 anos (±12,48 desvio padrão) e de 44,1(±11,78) anos no grupo de não obesos (p=0,829). A média de índice de massa corpórea foi de 48,79 (±8,53) no grupo de obesos e 25,08 (±2,84) nas pessoas não obesas (p=0). A incidência de sintomas de incontinência anal no grupo de obesos foi de 65,4% (17 pacientes). Através da manometria anorretal verificou-se uma redução significativa das pressões de contração voluntária no grupo de obesos (155,55 mmHg e 210,06 mmHg, p=0,004) e uma tendência de redução das pressões de repouso nesse grupo (63,66 mmHg e 74,06 mmHg, p=0,051), em comparação com o dos não obesos. A sensibilidade e a capacidade retal mostraram-se similares entre os grupos de obesos e não obesos. Não se verificou diferença estatisticamente significativa nos resultados da manometria anorretal entre obesos com e sem sintomas de incontinência anal. Além disso, a idade também não demonstrou relação com a incontinência anal nos pacientes obesos. A consistência das fezes, que poderia ser um viés para incontinência anal, foi similar entre os grupos (p=0,953). CONCLUSÃO: Nos pacientes obesos graus II e III, com indicação de cirurgia bariátrica, em relação aos não obesos, as pressões de contração anal voluntária são significativamente menores, com uma tendência de redução das pressões de repouso. Além disso, nesse grupo de pacientes, a prevalência de incontinência anal de qualquer tipo é elevada, independente da idade, do sexo e do índice de massas corpórea - o que não se conhecia previamente / Some factors such as parity, pelvic surgeries and hypoestrogenism are well established to have a direct relation to dysfunction of pelvic floor muscles in women. Other factors related with higher intra-abdominal pressure such as morbid obesity and constipation to be also related with pelvic floor dysfunction. Morbid obesity is configured nowadays as a public health problem due to its increasing incidence. However defecation disturbance and fecal continence are not very well studied in this group of patients. Anorectal manometry could objectively represent anorectal dysfunction in this group of patients. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to compare manometric and clinical results of morbid obese and non obese patients. A case-matched study between morbid obese patients, elective to bariatric surgery, and non obese patients without anorectal complaints was conducted. The groups were paired by age and gender. The number of patients in each group of 26 patients was previously calculated with a power analysis. Inclusion criteria was male sex, nuliparous women, absence of abdominal and anorectal surgeries. Non obese group was comprised by patients without any symptoms of constipation or pelvic floor dysfunction. Anorectal manometry was performed with an eight radial channels catheter water perfused and stationary technique. The mean age was 44.8 years (±12.48) in the morbid obese group and 44.1 years (±11.78) in the non obese group (p=0,829). The mean body mass index was 48.79 (±8.53) in the morbid obese group and 25.08 (±2.84) in the non obese group (p=0). The incidence of any degree of fecal incontinence in the morbid obese group was 65.4% (17 patients); besides a significant reduction of mean squeeze pressure (155.55mmHg vs. 210.06mmHg, p=0.004) and a tendency of reduction of mean rest pressures (63.66mmHg vs. 74.06mmHg, p=0.051) in comparison to non obese. The rectal sensibility and maximum capacity were similar comparing morbid obese and non obese patients. There was no significant difference when comparing manometric results of obese patients with and without symptoms of fecal incontinence. Also, older patients did not have relation to fecal incontinence. Fecal consistency that could be a bias for fecal incontinence was similar for the groups studied. Anal squeeze pressures are significantly lower in morbid obese patients and there is a tendency of reduction of rest pressure in this group of patients in comparison to the non obese population. Furthermore, in this group of patients, the prevalence of anal incontinence of any type is high, independently of age, sex and body mass index- what was not known previously

Introdução: A prostatectomia perineal tem sido proposta como um procedimento seguro e pouco invasivo, sem comprometer os princípios oncológicos. No entanto, este acesso tem sido questionado sobre o risco de promover a incontinência anal. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos do acesso para a prostatectomia perineal no mecanismo de continência anal. Métodos: Trinta e um pacientes com indicação cirúrgica de prostatectomia perineal foram avaliados entre agosto de 2008 e maio de 2009. Dados do pré e pós operatório (8 meses): estadiamento do câncer de próstata, a avaliação clínica (Índice de incontinência anal da Cleveland Clinic - CCISS), índice de qualidade de vida na incontinência anal (FIQL) e manometria anorretal. Os parâmetros médios manométricos foram: pressão de repouso (RP / mmHg), pressão de contração voluntária máxima (MSP / mmHg), zona de alta pressão (ZAP / cm), índice de fadiga do esfíncter (SFI / min.), índice de assimetria esfincteriana (SAI /%), limiar de sensibilidade retal (RST / ml) e volume retal máximo tolerado (MTRV / ml). Resultados: Foi concluída a avaliação em vinte e três pacientes, com média de idade de 65 (54-72) anos. Pré-operatório: o peso médio da próstata foi de 34,5 (24-54) gramas, Gleason intervalo de valor da pontuação 06/07. Os valores médios pré e pós-operatório da CCISS foram 0,9 ± 1,9 e 0,7 ± 1,2 (p> 0,05) e não houve uma mudança significativa no valor FIQL. Os valores médios pré e pós operatório de parâmetros manométricos foram, respectivamente: RP: 64 ± 23 e 65 ± 17, SP: 130 ± 41 e 117 ± 40, ZAP: 3,0 ± 0,9 e 2,7 ± 0,8, SFI: 3,0 ± 2,1 ± 11 e 5.4, RST: 76 ± 25 e 71 ± 35, MTRV 157 ± 48 e 156 ± 56, e SAI: 22,4 ± 9 e 14,4 ± 5, sendo o SAI o único parâmetro com mudança estatisticamente significativa (p: 0, 003). Conclusão: O acesso perineal para prostatectomia não afetou os parâmetros de continência anal. Houve, no entanto melhora na simetria esfincteriana / Introduction: Perineal prostatectomy has been proposed as a less invasive and a safer procedure, without compromise of oncological principles. However, this access has been questioned about the risk of promoting anal incontinence. Purpose: this study aimed to evaluate the effects of perineal access for prostatectomy in continence mechanism. Methods: Thirty one patients with surgical indication for perineal prostatectomy were evaluated between August 2008 and May 2009. Preoperative and postoperative (8 months) data included: prostate cancer staging, clinical evaluation (Cleveland Clinic anal incontinence score system - CCISS), Fecal incontinence quality of life score (FIQL) and anal manometry. Mean manometric parameter were: resting pressure (RP/mmHg), maximal squeeze pressure (MSP/mmHg), high pressure zone (HPZ/cm), sphincter fatigue index (SFI/min), sphincter asymmetry index (SAI/%), rectal sensory threshold (RST/ml) and maximum tolerated rectal volume (MTRV/ml). Results: Twenty three patients, mean age 65 (54-72) years, completed evaluation. Preoperative: prostate weight was 34.5 (24-54) grams, Gleason score value range 6 /7. Mean pre and postoperative values of CCISS were 0.9±1.9 and 0.7±1.2 (p>0.05) and there was not a significant change in FIQLS value. The mean preoperative and postoperative values of manometric parameters were, respectively: RP: 64±23 and 65±17, SP: 130±41 and 117±40, HPZ: 3.0±0.9 and 2.7±0.8, SFI: 3.0±11and 2.1 ±5.4, RST: 76±25 and 71±35, MTRV 157±48 and 156±56, and SAI: 22.4±9 and 14.4±5. Significant statistics change only in the SAI (p=0,003). Conclusion: The perineal prostatectomy did not affect anal continence parameters

Introdução: A diminuição do tônus basal e da extensão do esfíncter inferior do esôfago são considerados como principais mecanismos responsável pela ocorrência de refluxo gastroesofágico. Um adequado clareamento esofágico depende da presença de peristaltismo primário e secundário efetivos. Ainda há dúvidas se o achado de alterações do peristaltismo esofágico em pacientes com doença do refluxo gastroesofágico é uma anormalidade primária ou surge como consequência da agressão causada pelo refluxo. Objetivo: avaliar as alterações motoras esofágicas do esfíncter inferior do esôfago e do corpo esofágico em diferentes formas da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. Métodos: foram selecionados 268 prontuários de pacientes encaminhados para avaliação motora do esôfago através de manometria como parte da investigação diagnóstica da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico e foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: SE: 33 pacientes sem esofagite ao estudo endoscópico; EE: 92 pacientes que apresentavam esofagite erosiva (classificação de Los Angeles); BC: 101 pacientes que apresentavam esôfago de Barrett curto (< 3 cm) e BL: 42 pacientes que apresentavam esôfago de Barrett longo (> 3 cm). Resultados: O grupo SE apresentou um tamanho médio do esfíncter inferior do esôfago maior quando comparado aos grupos EE, BC e BL, estes foram semelhantes quando comparados entre si. Considerando esfíncter curto quando seu tamanho total encontrava-se menor do que 2 cm, os grupos EE, BC e BL foram semelhantes quando comparados entre si. Quanto à média de pressão do esfíncter, observamos que o grupo SE apresentou valor médio maior em relação aos grupos EE, BC e BL, estes foram semelhantes quando comparados entre si. Observou-se que os grupos EE e BL foram semelhantes e apresentaram maior percentual de hipotonia acentuada do esfíncter inferior do esôfago quando comparados ao grupo BC. Os grupos EE, BC e BL apresentaram amplitude de contração no segmento distal, significativamente inferiores quando comparados ao grupo SE; os grupos BC e BL foram semelhantes quando comparados entre si. Os grupos EE, BC e BL foram semelhantes em relação ao percentual de hipocontratilidade acentuada do segmento distal do corpo esofágico. Em relação à motilidade esofágica, observou-se que não houve diferença entre os grupos EE, BC e BL, o grupo SE não apresentou esta alteração. Conclusões: Os doentes com sintomas típicos de refluxo gastroesofágico, mas sem esofagite ao estudo endoscópico, não apresentaram comprometimento da função motora esofágica. Aqueles com esofagite de refluxo e esôfago de Barrett curto tiveram comprometimento da função motora esofágica, intermediárias entre os pacientes sem esofagite e com esôfago de Barrett longo. As alterações mais intensas na motilidade esofágica e esfíncter inferior do esôfago foram mais observadas no grupo com esôfago de Barrett longo. Estes fatos indicam que as alterações motoras do esôfago surgem como conseqüência do comprometimento da mucosa esofágica por RGE. / Introduction: A more extensive damage to the system of refluxate contention and to the esophageal clearance are thought to be associated to the increased occurrence of esophageal inflammation. Objective: This study aimed to assess the esophageal motor alterations of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal body, in the various forms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Methods: two hundred and sixty eigth patients were selected and split into four groups: NE: 33 patients who had presented with typical complaints of gastroesophageal reflux, albeit with no esophagitis on endoscopy; EE: 92 patients who had erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification); SBE: 101 patients who had short Barretts esophagus (< 3 cm); and LBE: 42 patients who had long Barretts esophagus (> 3 cm). All the patients underwent esophageal manometry with an 8-channel computerized system and a low compliance pneumo-hydraulic perfusion pump. Results: The manometric evaluation of the esophagus detected that the mean lower esophageal sphincter length in group NE was longer in comparison with the other groups (EE, SBE and LBE), which were all similar among themselves. Taking lower esophageal sphincter to be shortened with a total length equal or shorter than 2 cm, the groups EE, SBE and LBE were similar when compared one to another. This abnormality was not detected in group NE. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure, as assessed by the mean respiratory pressure, showed the group NE the highest mean value, while no difference was found between groups EE, SBE and LBE. Percentages of patients showing marked lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia (<6 mmHg) showed the groups EE and LBE had higher percentages of hypotonia as compared with group SBE. Comparison between groups EE and LBE in this respect yielded no difference. As to the mean amplitude of contraction of the distal segment swallowing complex showed that the groups EE, SBE and LBE had significantly lower amplitudes when compared with group NE; groups SBE and LBE were similar. The percentage of marked hypocontractility of the distal segment of the esophageal body (< 30 mmHg) was similar among groups EE, SBE and LBE. In relation to the esophageal motility, no difference could be detected among groups EE, SBE and LBE. Conclusions: patients who had presented with typical complaints of gastroesophageal reflux disease, albeit with no esophagitis on endoscopy didnt have alterations of esophageal motor function. The groups who had erosive esophagitis and short Barretts esophagus had intermediary alterations of esophageal function; the group long Barretts esophagus showed lower mean value and higher percentage of marked hypotonia of LES and the highest percentage of marked hypocontractility and alteration in esophageal periltalsis. These findings sugest also that esophageal abnormalities are secondary to esophageal mucosa damage.

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. Métodos: Foram analisados prospectivamente entre Junho de 2005 a Novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 horas de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. Resultados: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80% dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24%. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50% e especificidade de 61% para RGE. Noventa e quatro por cento dos pacientes com DPOC apresentaram alteração à manometria, sendo a hipotonia do esfíncter inferior o achado mais frequente (80%). Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50%). Conclusões: RGE é achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento. / Objective: To assess the prevalecence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal motor profile in lung transplant candidates. Methods: Between July 2005 and November 2006, a prospective study was conducted in 55 candidates for lung transplantation. Patients underwent esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing before undergoing transplantation as an attempt to obtain the prevalence of reflux in this subset. Results: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80% of the patients and abnormal GER was documented in 24% of the patients. Reflux-related symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 61% for GER, respectively. Ninety-four per cent of the patients with COPD presented an abnormal esophageal manometry, and hipotensive lower esphincter was the most common finding (80%). Bronchiectasis patients presented the highest prevalence of GER (50%). Conclusions: GER is highly prevalent in end-stage lung disease. Reflux-related symptoms was not preditive of gastroesophageal reflux. The contribuition of GER to chronic rejection and allograft dysfunction must be considered and needs to be addressed in future studies.

Low resolution pharyngeal manometry is an invasive diagnostic method that has recently been used as a biofeedback device for swallowing rehabilitation. The University of Canterbury Rose Centre uses pharyngeal manometry to diagnose and rehabilitate subjects who suffer from pharyngeal mis-sequencing. Pharyngeal mis-sequencing occurs when pressure is applied simultaneously throughout the pharynx rather than sequentially. Rehabilitation can only be performed in clinic due to the need for specialized equipment and trained staff, and the invasiveness of the test limits the time that can be spent training. As an alternative method to measure the pharyngeal pressure sequence, bioimpedance has been investigated by a previous University of Canterbury Master’s student. A prototype was developed that measured bioimpedance in two locations as a proxy for pharyngeal pressure sequence. The prototype device named GULPS (Guided Utility for Latency in Pharyngeal Swallowing), measured a change in impedance during swallowing. However, the features of this waveform were inconsistent and were not present during every swallow. The frequency of the current that passes through tissue affects its path through the tissue, therefore impacting the measured impedance. To improve the consistency of the impedance measurement, the effect of current injection frequency was investigated. A modular-hardware system was created from the original design to allow testing of different injection frequencies. The hardware was further developed by replacing the method of generating the constant amplitude current injection signal. The improvement to the design resulted in a differently-shaped waveform to that of the previous prototype, including a new feature. This feature is a single peak that occurred in both channels and was reproduced in every swallow. Experimentation showed that the features were not obviously frequency dependent. The separation between the peaks of the two impedance channels was compared with the separation between the two pressure peaks recorded during simultaneous pharyngeal manometry but there was no significant correlation between the two measures of peak-peak separations. Two alternative hardware/signal conditioning changes were trialled: electrical isolation of each channel and a subtraction method, which aims to remove the effect of the changing impedance between the two electrode channels. Electrical isolation of the two channels had no effect on the impedance waveforms. However, the subtraction method produced a different output and requires further investigation as the output was inconsistent. Bluetooth communication was integrated into the GULPS hardware, and a corresponding Android Application (App) was written. The developed App was successful in displaying the impedance measurement output and adds greater user flexibility, allowing the user to interface with the bioimpedance measurement hardware from their tablet or phone. With no measured significant correlation between GULPS and pharyngeal manometry, further research needs to be performed to better relate the features measured by GULPS to those seen during pharyngeal manometry. Until this can be achieved, the GULPS device cannot replace pharyngeal manometry for biofeedback-based rehabilitation of pharyngeal mis-sequencing.

Störungen der Schluckfunktion werden im Alter zunehmend diagnostiziert und beeinträchtigen die Lebensqualität der betroffenen Patienten sehr. Ein abnormes Schluckmuster bei Kindern und Jugendlichen kann eine pathologische Wirkung auf die Entwicklung der Zahnstellung haben. In dieser Studie wurde bei einem gesunden Probandenkollektiv von 52 Teilnehmern (40 w; 12 m) im Alter von 20 - 45 (MW: 25.48; SD:4.68) Jahren die orale Phase des Schluckaktes untersucht. Für diese Zwecke, wurde ein intraorales Mundstück angewendet (Silencos®, Bredent, Senden, Deutschland), das aufgrund der Einbringung einer Silikonschlaufe die intraorale Bolusapplikation und Druckmessung erlaubte. Extraoral wurde das Mundstück einerseits an einer mit Flüssigkeit gefüllten Spritze zur Bolusapplikation und andererseits an ein digitales Manometer (GDUSB 1000®, Greisinger electronics, Regenstauf Deutschland) angeschlossen. Das genutzte Messgerät besaß die Fähigkeit, mit einer Frequenz von 1kHz Messungen in einem Bereich von 2000 bis -1000 mbar durchzuführen. Zum Schutz der Probanden und zur Sicherung der Messung wurde am Schlauchsystem ein Bakterienfilter und ein Wasserabscheider angebracht. Mit dieser Versuchsanordnung wurden drei Schluckmodalitäten untersucht. Jede Modalität beinhaltete 10 Schluckvorgänge. Die erste Untersuchung bezog sich auf die aktive Einnahme eines Bolus aus Wasser. Die Probanden führten Saugimpulse aus, indem sie Flüssigkeit aus einer Spritze zogen und diese anschließend schluckten. Die zweite und dritte Untersuchung basierte auf der passiven Gabe eines Bolus, der in einem Volumen von 2 ml appliziert wurde. In diesem Versuch wurde jeweils ein 2-ml-Bolus aus Wasser und aus Gel verabreicht. Bei den erhobenen Daten konnten hauptsächlich negative Druckamplituden beobachtet werden. Dabei wurde ein Mittelwert von -290 mbar bei der aktiven Bolus-Einnahme, -31 mbar während der passiven Gabe eines Bolus aus Wasser und -37 mbar bei der passiven Gabe eines Bolus aus Gel gemessen. Auch die Dauer der Schluckereignisse wurde gemessen. Hierbei ergab sich ein Mittelwert von 5.1 s bei der aktiven Bolus-Einnahme, 1.8 s bei der passiven Gabe eines Bolus aus Wasser und 1.5 s bei der passiven Gabe eines Bolus aus Gel. In Abhängigkeit von der Art der Bolusapplikation und der Boluskonsistenz konnten signifikante Differenzen zwischen den erhobenen Druckamplituden und Druckverläufen beobachtet werden. Die aktive Einnahme eines Bolus zeigte höhere negative Druckverläufe sowie eine längere Dauer als bei der passiven Gabe eines Bolus. Auch signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Konsistenzen konnten beobachtet werden: die Gabe eines Bolus aus Gel wies polyphasische Kurven auf. Im Vergleich dazu zeigten sich vorwiegend monophasische Kurven beim Schlucken von Wasser. Der vorgeschlagene Schlucktest zeigte eine einfache Anwendbarkeit und konnte bei allen Probanden problemlos durchgeführt werden. Der technische Aufwand war gering und die Untersuchung brachte keine Nebenwirkungen für die Probanden mit sich. Anhand dieses Tests wurden Datensätze zur Schluckfunktion erzeugt, welche qualitativ und quantitativ ausgewertet wurden und als Normwert für zukünftige Untersuchungen dienen. Die Interpretation der erhobenen Daten anhand des biofunktionellen Modells ermöglicht eine methodische Erfassung der Schluckphysiologie. Eine klinische Anwendung bietet sich als diagnostischer Test sowie auch in der Übungstherapie an. Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen konnten die funktionelle Ähnlichkeit der Funktionen Saugen und Schlucken belegen und zeigten, dass das vom biofunktionellen Modell ausgewiesene Kompartiment 2 offensichtlich zum Transport von Flüssigkeiten einen Saugmechanismus und nicht einen Propulsionsmechanismus durch Verdrängen des Bolus bevorzugt.

Swallowing impairment or dysphagia can be a consequence of several neurological and anatomical disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s diseases, and head and neck cancer. Management of patients with dysphagia often involves diet modification, sensory stimulation, and exercise programme with the primary goal being safe swallowing to maintain nutrition. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of lemon odour and tastant on swallowing behaviour in healthy young adults. Specifically, the neural excitability and biomechanical characteristics of swallowing were measured in two studies. Neural excitability was evaluated by measuring motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) from the submental muscles which were evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex. Biomechanical characteristics were evaluated through measures of submental muscle contraction, pressure changes in the oral cavity and pharynx, and the dynamics of the upper oesophageal sphincter (UES). Two groups of volunteers (16 in each group) participated in two separate studies. In the MEP study, 25% and 100% concentrations of lemon concentrate were presented separately as olfactory and gustatory stimuli. The four stimuli were randomly presented in four separate sessions. The olfactory stimulus was nebulized and presented via nasal cannula. Filter paper strips impregnated with the lemon concentrate placed on the tongue served as the gustatory stimulus. Tap water was used as control. TMS-evoked MEPs were measured at baseline, during control condition, during stimulation, immediately poststimulation, and at 30-, 60-, and 90-min poststimulation. Experiments were repeated using the combination of odour and tastant concentration that most significantly influenced the MEP. The biomechanical study used (a) surface electromyography (sEMG) to record contraction of the submental muscles, (b) lingual array with pressure transducers to record glossopalatal pressures, and (c) pharyngeal manometry to record pressures in the pharynx and the UES. Similar methods of presenting the stimuli were used to randomly present the 25% and 100% concentrations of lemon odour and tastant. All data were recorded concurrently during stimulation. The concentration of odour and tastant that produced the largest submental sEMG amplitude was selected for presentation of combined stimulation. Data were then recorded during combined stimulation and at 30-, 60-, and 90-min poststimulation. Results from the MEP study showed increased MEP amplitude at 30-, 60-, and 90-min poststimulation during swallowing compared to baseline, but only for the combined stimulation. Poststimulation results from the biomechanical study showed decreased middle glossopalatal pressure at 30 min and decreased anterior and middle glossopalatal contact duration at 60 min. No poststimulation changes were found in sEMG and pharyngeal manometry measures. During combined odour and tastant stimulation, there were increased pressure and contact duration at the anterior glossopalatal contact and decreased hypopharyngeal pressure. Generally, these changes correspond to increased efficiency of swallowing. In conclusion, these are the first studies to have measured the effects of flavour on neural excitability and biomechanics of swallowing and the first to have shown changes in MEP and several biomechanical characteristics of swallowing following flavour stimulation. These changes were present poststimulation, suggesting mechanisms of neural plasticity that may underlie potential value in the rehabilitation of patients with dysphagia.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. Métodos: Foram analisados prospectivamente entre Junho de 2005 a Novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 horas de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. Resultados: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80% dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24%. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50% e especificidade de 61% para RGE. Noventa e quatro por cento dos pacientes com DPOC apresentaram alteração à manometria, sendo a hipotonia do esfíncter inferior o achado mais frequente (80%). Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50%). Conclusões: RGE é achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento. / Objective: To assess the prevalecence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal motor profile in lung transplant candidates. Methods: Between July 2005 and November 2006, a prospective study was conducted in 55 candidates for lung transplantation. Patients underwent esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing before undergoing transplantation as an attempt to obtain the prevalence of reflux in this subset. Results: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80% of the patients and abnormal GER was documented in 24% of the patients. Reflux-related symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 61% for GER, respectively. Ninety-four per cent of the patients with COPD presented an abnormal esophageal manometry, and hipotensive lower esphincter was the most common finding (80%). Bronchiectasis patients presented the highest prevalence of GER (50%). Conclusions: GER is highly prevalent in end-stage lung disease. Reflux-related symptoms was not preditive of gastroesophageal reflux. The contribuition of GER to chronic rejection and allograft dysfunction must be considered and needs to be addressed in future studies.

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. Métodos: Foram analisados prospectivamente entre Junho de 2005 a Novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 horas de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. Resultados: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80% dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24%. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50% e especificidade de 61% para RGE. Noventa e quatro por cento dos pacientes com DPOC apresentaram alteração à manometria, sendo a hipotonia do esfíncter inferior o achado mais frequente (80%). Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50%). Conclusões: RGE é achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento. / Objective: To assess the prevalecence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal motor profile in lung transplant candidates. Methods: Between July 2005 and November 2006, a prospective study was conducted in 55 candidates for lung transplantation. Patients underwent esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing before undergoing transplantation as an attempt to obtain the prevalence of reflux in this subset. Results: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80% of the patients and abnormal GER was documented in 24% of the patients. Reflux-related symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 61% for GER, respectively. Ninety-four per cent of the patients with COPD presented an abnormal esophageal manometry, and hipotensive lower esphincter was the most common finding (80%). Bronchiectasis patients presented the highest prevalence of GER (50%). Conclusions: GER is highly prevalent in end-stage lung disease. Reflux-related symptoms was not preditive of gastroesophageal reflux. The contribuition of GER to chronic rejection and allograft dysfunction must be considered and needs to be addressed in future studies.