Review

Authors: Ishrat Rahim, Angela Napolitano, Chris Burd...

The pharynx plays a significant role in swallowing and speech, and this is reflected in both its complex anatomy and degree of physiological motility. Patients who present with pharynx-related symptoms such as sore throat, globus, dysphagia or dysphonia will usually undergo visual and nasal endoscopic examination in the first instance. Imaging is frequently required to supplement clinical assessment and this typically involves MRI and CT. However, fluoroscopy, ultrasound and radionuclide imaging are valuable in certain clinical situations. The aforementioned complexity of the pharynx and the myriad of pathologies which may arise within it often make radiological evaluation challenging. In this pictorial review, we aim to provide a brief overview of cross-sectional pharyngeal anatomy and present the radiological features of a variety of pharyngeal pathologies, both benign and malignant.

Topics: Humans; Pharynx; Cross-Sectional Studies; Deglutition Disorders; Deglutition; Fluoroscopy

PubMed: 37334795
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20230046

Review

Authors: Carmel Cotaoco, Rumi Ueha, Misaki Koyama...

PURPOSE

To discuss the different swallowing improvement surgeries that address one or more dysfunctional pharyngolaryngeal structures causing dysphagia. These surgeries reduce the risk of aspiration without sacrificing vocal function.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database and used Google Scholar search engine to find studies discussing the different swallowing improvement surgeries. A manual search of references in selected articles and reviews was done as well. No chronologic limitation was set for the studies; however, only articles written in English and Japanese were considered. Due to the nature of this article, no particular inclusion or exclusion criteria were set when searching for studies to be used as references; however, all relevant studies were reviewed and agreed upon by the authors for inclusion in this review article.

RESULTS/DISCUSSION

Surgeries to improve swallowing function can be categorized into those that reinforce nasopharyngeal closure or pharyngeal contraction, improve laryngeal elevation or pharyngoesophageal segment opening, and those that improve vocal fold closure to protect the airway during swallowing. They are an effective alternative treatment that may significantly improve these patients' quality of life. Swallowing rehabilitation with the altered pharyngolaryngeal structures is required post-operatively to significantly improve patients' dysphagia.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeries to improve swallowing function address specific dysfunctional sites involved in the swallowing mechanism. Choosing the most appropriate surgery for each patient requires knowledge of the pathophysiology for their dysphagia and detailed pre-operative work-up.

Topics: Humans; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Larynx; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; Pharynx

PubMed: 38265461
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08452-z

Authors: Gitesh Sawatkar, Priyanka Arun Kowe

Topics: Hypertrichosis; Pharynx; Humans; Cervix Uteri; Female

PubMed: 37002853
DOI: No ID Found

Authors: O Laccourreye, A Villeneuve, F Rubin...

Based on a review of the medical literature, the authors document the key technical points, variants, technical errors to avoid and main functional results of lateral pharyngotomy for resection of cancers originating from the lateral oro and/or hypopharynx.

Topics: Anatomic Landmarks; Humans; Medical Illustration; Pharyngeal Neoplasms; Pharynx

PubMed: 30482706
DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2018.10.011

Review

Authors: R J Schwab

Upper airway imaging is a powerful technique to study the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis, biomechanics, and efficacy of treatment options in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Imaging studies have provided significant insight into the static and dynamic structure, and function of the upper airway and surrounding soft-tissue structure during wakefulness and sleep. Upper airway imaging modalities primarily include nasopharyngoscopy, cephalometrics, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) scanning. These imaging modalities have been used to study the effect of respiration, weight loss, dental appliances, and upper airway surgery on the upper airway. MR imaging and CT have allowed quantification of the airway and surrounding soft-tissue structures in three dimensions. Clinical indications for upper airway imaging are evolving for patients being treated with dental appliances and upper airway surgery.

Topics: Cephalometry; Diagnostic Imaging; Electromyography; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Laryngoscopy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Nasal Cavity; Obesity; Orthodontic Appliances; Pharynx; Reflex, Acoustic; Respiratory System; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PubMed: 9554216
DOI: 10.1016/s0272-5231(05)70430-5

Authors: Akira Kobayashi, Hiromichi Iwasaki

Topics: Child; Female; Fever; Humans; Pharyngitis; Pharynx; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes

PubMed: 30855746
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1810556

Authors: Muntasir Kamal, Jessica Knox, Robert I Horne...

Amyloids are associated with over 50 human diseases and have inspired significant effort to identify small molecule remedies. Here, we present an in vivo platform that efficiently yields small molecule inhibitors of amyloid formation. We previously identified small molecules that kill the nematode C. elegans by forming membrane-piercing crystals in the pharynx cuticle, which is rich in amyloid-like material. We show here that many of these molecules are known amyloid-binders whose crystal-formation in the pharynx can be blocked by amyloid-binding dyes. We asked whether this phenomenon could be exploited to identify molecules that interfere with the ability of amyloids to seed higher-order structures. We therefore screened 2560 compounds and found 85 crystal suppressors, 47% of which inhibit amyloid formation. This hit rate far exceeds other screening methodologies. Hence, in vivo screens for suppressors of crystal formation in C. elegans can efficiently reveal small molecules with amyloid-inhibiting potential.

Topics: Caenorhabditis elegans; Animals; Amyloid; Small Molecule Libraries; Pharynx; Humans; Protein Aggregates; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical

PubMed: 39333123
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52480-6

Authors: Shiroh Isono

Topics: Pharynx

PubMed: 28931669
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01496-2017

Review

Authors: Thomas M Maynard, Irene E Zohn, Sally A Moody...

All mammals must suckle and swallow at birth, and subsequently chew and swallow solid foods, for optimal growth and health. These initially innate behaviors depend critically upon coordinated development of the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and larynx as well as the cranial nerves that control these structures. Disrupted suckling, feeding, and swallowing from birth onward-perinatal dysphagia-is often associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders that subsequently alter complex behaviors. Apparently, a broad range of neurodevelopmental pathologic mechanisms also target oropharyngeal and cranial nerve differentiation. These aberrant mechanisms, including altered patterning, progenitor specification, and neurite growth, prefigure dysphagia and may then compromise circuits for additional behavioral capacities. Thus, perinatal dysphagia may be an early indicator of disrupted genetic and developmental programs that compromise neural circuits and yield a broad range of behavioral deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Suckling; Behavior; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Humans; Nerve Net; Pharynx

PubMed: 32101484
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-100419-100636

Review

Authors: I Hodzovic, I P Latto, J J Henderson...

Topics: Equipment Design; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Lung Injury; Pharynx

PubMed: 12562428
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2003.03005_16.x