Videoradiographic Analysis of How Carbonated Thin Liquids and Thickened Liquids Affect the Physiology of Swallowing in Subjects with Aspiration on Thin Liquids

Purpose: To analyze how carbonated thin liquids affected the physiology of swallowing in dysphagic patients. Material and Methods: 40 patients were analyzed; 36 were neurologically impaired. During a therapeutic videoradiographic swallowing examination the patients had to swallow liquids with the following consistencies three times: thin, thickened and carbonated. The liquids were given in doses of 3 × 5 ml. The swallows were analyzed regarding penetration/aspiration, pharyngeal transit time and pharyngeal retention. Results: Significant difference was found regarding penetration/aspiration when comparisons were made between thin liquid and carbonated thin liquid (p