Aspiration: Cause and implications

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the overall prevalence o f aspiration in dysphagic individuals referred for a modified barium swallo w and the underlying anatomic and/or physiologic causes. A total of 166 pat ients were seen during a 1-month period at 5 participating institutions. As piration was detected in 51.2% of the patients. The most common causes were decreased laryngeal elevation and delayed triggering of the pharyngeal mot or response, A history of aspiration pneumonia was significantly associated with the presence of aspiration on modified barium swallow study, The pres ence of a protective cough was present in only 53% of patients who aspirate d, reinforcing the need for appropriate radiologic assessment in patients w ith suspected dysphagia.