Clinical trial · Observational
Ultrasound Evaluation of Tongue Movements in Speech and Swallowing
Exploration of the Diagnostic Capabilities of Ultrasound of the Oropharynx and Larynx
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
This study will assess the use of ultrasound-a test that uses sound waves to produce images-as a diagnostic tool for evaluating speech and swallowing. The following categories of individuals may be eligible for this study: 1) healthy volunteers between 20 and 85 years old with normal speech and hearing, 2) patients 6 to 85 years old with developmental neurological deficits in speech or swallowing, and 3) patients with tumors of the oral cavity, pharynx or larynx being treated at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Participants will undergo a 30-minute speech and oral motion evaluation, in which they imitate sounds, words and oral movements while a speech pathologist evaluates their lip, tongue and palate movements. They may also be asked to drink a small amount of water for examination of swallowing function. For the ultrasound examination, a 3/4-inch transducer (device for transmitting and receiving sound waves) is placed under the participant's chin. While the transducer is in place, the subject 1) repeats sounds and a series of syllables in several sequences, 2) swallows three times with and without a small amount of water, and 3) swallows 3 teaspoons of non-fat pudding. The ultrasound images are recorded on tape for later analysis.
Conditions
Conditions (5)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otorhinolaryngologic Disease | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasm | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Pharyngeal Neoplasm | Pharyngeal Neoplasm | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.98 |
| Polymyositis | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Speech Disorder | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (0)
Data not yet available
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
Show eligibility criteria text
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Normal volunteers: Normal volunteers ages 21 to 85 may be asked to participate in a study of speech and swallowing utilizing a traditional clinical examination of oral-motor performance. If the subjects are without deficits in dental occlusion, speech articulation, tongue and lip strength, tongue and lip mobility, palatal function and oral sensation they will be asked to participate in an ultrasonic evaluation of tongue/hyoid interaction during swallowing and speech. Children will be included if they are referred with a medical condition that affects the oral pharyngeal phase of swallowing, voice production or laryngeal function and the investigator needs to evaluate functional performance and safety for oral feeding. Neurological Group: Subjects aged 6 to 85 with diagnosed developmental, neuromotor, systemic, genetic, neurologic, structural and post surgical dysfunction who have deficits in speech (dysarthria) and/or swallow (dysphagia) may be asked to participate in this study of ultrasonic imaging. Aging patients with and without dementia may also be studied. Patients with Post Polio Syndrome, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Toricollis, Cerebellar Degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, ALS, Cystinosis, are among the conditions of interest. Subjects with complaints of oral dryness, and patients who have undergone mandibular and oral surgery may also be studied during swallowing. Oropharyngeal/Laryngeal Tumors: Patients will be seen who are enrolled in NCI and NIDCD protocols for head and neck tumors. EXCLUSION CRITERIA Normal Subjects: Hearing impairment reported (above 40 db, bilaterally) Dentures Oral Prosthesis Palatal surgery or other restorative dental surgery Radial neck dissection, glossectomy Tumor or masses in neck or tongue Cerebral vascular attack Stuttering Non-English speaker Childhood articulation impairment
References
Publications (3)
- BACKGROUNDSonies BC, Dalakas MC. Dysphagia in patients with the post-polio syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1991 Apr 25;324(17):1162-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199104253241703. PMID 2011159
- BACKGROUNDSonies BC, Ekman EF, Andersson HC, Adamson MD, Kaler SG, Markello TC, Gahl WA. Swallowing dysfunction in nephropathic cystinosis. N Engl J Med. 1990 Aug 30;323(9):565-70. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199008303230903. PMID 2381441
- BACKGROUNDShawker TH, Sonies B, Hall TE, Baum BF. Ultrasound analysis of tongue, hyoid, and larynx activity during swallowing. Invest Radiol. 1984 Mar-Apr;19(2):82-6. doi: 10.1097/00004424-198403000-00003. PMID 6398320