Physiological Flow of Liquids in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

Exclusion Criteria

• •Prior history of swallowing, motor speech, gastro#esophageal difficulties, chronic sinusitis or taste disturbance.
• •Previous radiation to the head and neck (prior to current illness);
• •Previous cancer diagnosis;
• •Prior or planned neck dissection;
• •Trachestomy in situ;
• •Neurological difficulties unrelated to spinal disorder (e.g. Stroke, Parkinson disease, etc).
• •Cognitive communication difficulties that may hinder ability to participate.
• •Current use of mechanical ventilation
• •Type 1 Diabetes (due to the requirement to swallow stimuli containing starch based thickeners, which carry a significant carbohydrate load).
• •Known allergies to latex, food coloring or dental glue (due to the probability that these items will come into contact with the oral mucosa during data collection).
• •Occupational exposure to radiation exceeding 10 mSv in the past 6 months.
• •Current pregnancy.