Swallowing dysfunction related to snoring: A videoradiographic study

Biopsy studies of the soft palatal and oropharyngeal tissues in habitual sn orers and patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea have shown signs of neurogenic lesions. These lesions might affect the pharyngeal swallowin g function, which is dependent on adequate sensitivity. The objective of th e present study was to test the hypothesis that snoring is associated with aberrant pharyngeal swallowing function. Forty-one consecutive patients wit hout dysphagia, seeking medical attention because of heavy snoring and vari ous degrees of daytime sleepiness, were prospectively selected. Fifteen non -snoring volunteers without dysphagia served as controls. Patients and volu nteers were videoradiographically examined in lateral and posteroanterior v iews during the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. The hypothesis wa s verified. Snoring patients demonstrated deviant pharyngeal swallowing fun ction seven times more frequently than did the non-snoring volunteers. Devi ant pharyngeal swallowing function was observed in 22 (54%) of the snorers compared with 1 (7%) of the non-snoring volunteers. Impaired bolus control with premature leakage of bolus into the pharynx and a delayed evocation of the swallowing reflex was the most common finding, followed by bolus resid ual in the pharynx and laryngeal penetration. The conclusion was that snori ng is associated with subclinical pharyngeal swallowing dysfunction.