[Application of fibreoptic endoscope evaluating of oropharyngeal swallowing in post-irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fibreoptic endoscopic of sallowing FEES in the assessment of pharyngeal dysphagia in post-irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Method:Fifty-three NPC patients with post-irradiated underwent FEES and video fluoroscopyVF.The results were analyzed using the Bolus Residue Scale and Rosenbek's penetration aspiration scale. Result:The agreement in the detection of penetration and aspiration between FEES and VF of liquidkappa=0.56, 95%CI 0.38-0.73 and porridgekappa=0.64, 95%CI 0.43-0.81 was "fair". The detection rates of penetration on FEES with liquid and porridge were 60% and 51%, the detection rates of aspiration on VF with liquid and porridge were 70% and 53%. There were no statistical differences. The agreement in the detection of pharyngeal residue between FEES and VF of liquid kappa=0.38, 95%CI0.12-0.62 and porridge kappa=0.66, 95%CI 0.44-0.86 was "fair". The detection rates of pharyngeal residue on FEES and VF with porridge were 43% and 45%, the difference was not statistically significant. The detection rates of pharyngeal residue on FEES and VF with liquid were 44% and 24%, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:FEES is an effective and valuable tool for evaluating pharyngeal dysphagia in post-irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.