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Swallowing dysfunction is a common side effect of chemoradiation.

Twelve patients with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were enrolled. Videofluorographic swallowing studies were performed before initiation of chemoradiation to provide baseline swallowing function data. Postchemoradiation videofluorographic swallowing studies were performed from 1 to 14 weeks after the completion of treatment (mean, 8 weeks).

Changes in swallowing physiology after treatment included decreased base of tongue to posterior pharyngeal wall contact (p = .0010) and reduced pharyngeal contraction (p = .0313), resulting in impaired bolus transport through the pharynx. In addition, decreased laryngeal elevation (p = .0039), decreased laryngeal vestibule closure (p = .0078), and laryngeal penetration (p = .0078) were present. Bolus volume did not have a significant …