Title: "Dysphagia in Traumatically Injured US Military Service Members: Linking Clinical, Biomechanical, and Functional Data"
Speaker: Angela M. Dietsch, Audiology & Speech Center, Department of Surgical Services
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Date: November 19th, 12-1pm
Room: LeFrak Hall Room 0135
Abstract:
Dysphagia as a consequence of injury due to motor vehicle collisions, gunshot wounds, and other trauma has not been widely described in the literature to date. As part of a three-year project funded by the United States Defense Medical Research and Development Program, we have developed a database to track injury characteristics, clinical management, and resolution of dysphagia incurred during combat-related activities. This enables exploration of clinically relevant predictive relationships between clinical, medical, dental, and pharmacological variables; biomechanical data from videofluoroscopic swallowing studies; and functional swallowing outcomes. Through collaborative relationships with an international research team, these data are being used to build and validate computational models of disordered human swallowing. Examples of individual cases and patient-population-level findings will be presented to demonstrate how the database and computer simulations can inform clinical decision making about dysphagia management at multiple levels.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the US Government.
