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.