* X-rays (narrowed airway)
X-rays originally read as “normal”. Radiologist thought I swallowed, or my tongue “happened” to be in this position, causing the narrowed “appearance”. These explanations do NOT apply when the patient is physically unable to swallow without flexing the neck, as indicated in my MBS studies. Lower film, with chin lifted, shows increased narrowing of the airway. The more I try to extend my neck, the stronger the force pulling the tongue down
Top: October 2003
Bottom: April 2004
Assessment by radiologist Steve Doak, M.D.:
“I agree that there is narrowing of the airway where you have placed the arrows. The tongue seems humped up posteriorly (toward the rear) and pulled into the airway, producing narrowing. Obviously, my familiarity with your history & the results of the MBS made my observations pretty easy. In all fairness, radiologists are not often presented with such studies as your particular C-Spine & the tongue in this region is not often a point of interest. I can only pray that I am having a good day if I see the next study such as yours.”
Notes by ENT specialist Steven Mucci, M.D.:
“She also had a lateral soft tissue projection of the neck done and brings that with her today. She pointed out to me that the tongue base appears retrodisplaced; in my view, it does appear the base of tongue is closer to the posterior oropharynx than the average patient.”
Stumble It!
