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Background: A wide range of cochlear implant electrode designs exists. Lateral wall electrodes may be favored for their potential to preserve residual hearing by virtue of being thin and delicate; whereas perimodiolar electrodes may have advantages in case of profound hearing loss, due to electrode positioning in close proximity to the auditory nerve fibers., Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of these two array designs on the interaction between electrodes and the auditory nerve in different tonotopic regions of the cochlea., Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of both adult and pediatric cochlear implant recipients (CI24RE/CI512 or CI422, Cochlear®) was undertaken. The differences of threshold Neural Response Telemetry (tNRT) acquired 12 months after surgery were analyzed with respect to the tonotopic location., Results: The results of 168 implants showed that perimodiolar arrays had lowest thresholds in the basal region whereas straight arrays had lowest thresholds in the apex. Highest thresholds for both array types were encountered in the medial parts., Conclusions and Significance: tNRTs differ depending on electrode type and location inside the cochlea. This should be considered pre implantation when choosing the electrode array type and post-implantation when mapping the CI program.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic potential of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging ( 18 FDG-PET/MRI) and MRI for recurrence diagnostics after primary therapy in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC)., Methods: A total of 32 dedicated head and neck 18 F-FDG PET/MRI datasets were included in this analysis. MRI and 18 F-FDG PET/MRI datasets were analyzed in separate sessions by two readers for tumor recurrence or metastases., Results: Lesion-based sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 96%, 84%, 90%, 93%, and 91% for 18 F-FDG PET/MRI and 77%, 94%, 95%, 73%, and 84% for MRI, resulting in a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy of 18 F-FDG PET/MRI compared to MRI (P < .005)., Conclusion: 18 F-FDG PET/MRI is superior to MRI in detecting local recurrence and metastases in patients with ACC of the head and neck. Especially concerning its negative predictive value, 18 F-FDG PET/MRI outperforms MRI., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Hypothesis: Biofilm formation on cochlear implant (CI) surfaces differs between bacterial species and can be reduced by the application of S53P4 bioactive glass., Background: The formation of bacterial biofilms on medical devices, such as cochlear implants, can lead to chronic infections resulting in the need for implant removal. In this study, various surfaces of three CI implant kits from different manufacturers were examined for bacterial biofilm formation and reduction of a pre-existing biofilm by the application of bioactive glass., Methods: Biofilm formations of 4 bacterial species causing implant-related infections were tested on 17 different surfaces: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC9027), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC12228), and Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC19615). For P. aeruginosa and S. aureus biofilm reduction after application of S53P4 bioactive glass was evaluated., Results: All tested microbial species formed biofilms on the examined CI surfaces in a strain-dependent manner. For S. aureus, a significantly higher biofilm formation on metal components compared with silicone was found whereas the other strains did not show a material specific biofilm formation. Application of S53P4 bioactive glass resulted in a significant reduction of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus mature biofilm., Conclusion: The four bacteria species displayed biofilm formation on the CI surfaces in a species- and material-specific manner. The results show that bioactive glass can reduce biofilm formation on CI materials in vitro. Future studies are necessary to confirm the results in vivo.

Purpose: To examine radiation-doses imparted during multislice (MSCT) and cone-beam computed-tomography (CBCT) for perioperative examination of cochlear-implant insertion., Methods: Radiation-doses were assessed during standardized petrous-bone CT-protocols at different MSCT ((I) single-source CT-scanner Somatom-Definition-AS+, (II) 2nd generation of dual-source CT-scanner Somatom-Definition-Flash, (III) 3rd generation of dual-source CT-scanner Somatom-Force and at the CBCT Ziehm-Vision-RFD3D ((IV) (a) RFD-3D (Standard-modifier), (b) RFD-3D (Low-dose-modifier)). Image quality was examined by two radiologists appraising electrode-array placement, quality-control of cochlear-implant surgery and complications based on real patients' examinations (n=78)., Results: In MSCT-setting following radiation-doses were assessed (CTDI w ; DLP): (I) 21.5mGy; 216mGycm; (II) 19.7mGy; 195mGycm; (III) 12.7mGy; 127mGycm; in the CBCT setting radiation doses were distributed as follows: (IV) (a) 1.9mGy; 19.4mGycm; (b) 1.2mGy; 12.9mGycm. Overall, image quality was evaluated as good for both, MSCT- and CBCT-examinations, with a good interrater reliability (r=0.81)., Conclusion: CBCT bears considerable dose-saving potential for the perioperative examination of cochlear-implant insertion while maintaining adequate image quality., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Whether the origin of severe hearing loss in Refsum's syndrome is caused by cochlear impairment or retrocochlear degeneration remains unclear. This case report aims to investigate hearing performance before and after cochlear implantation to shed light on this question. Also, identification of new mutations causing Refsum's syndrome would be helpful in generating additional means of diagnosis., Methods: A family of 4 individuals was subjected to genetic testing. Two siblings (56 and 61 years old) suffered from severe hearing and vision loss and received bilateral cochlear implants. Genetic analysis, audiological outcome, and clinical examinations were performed., Results: One new mutation in the PHYH gene (c.768del63bp) causing Refsum's disease was found. Preoperative distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPAOEs) were absent. Postoperative speech perception in Freiburger speech test was 100% for bisyllabic words and 85% (patient No. 1) and 65% (patient No. 2), respectively, for monosyllabic words. Five years after implantation, speech perception remained stable for bisyllabic words but showed decreasing capabilities for monosyllabic words., Discussion: A new mutation causing Refsum's disease is presented. Cochlear implantation in case of severe hearing loss leads to an improvement in speech perception and should be recommended for patients with Refsum's disease, especially when the hearing loss is combined with a severe loss of vision. Decrease of speech perception in the long-term follow-up could indicate an additional retrocochlear degeneration.

Introduction: Juvenile Paget's disease (JPD), an ultra-rare, debilitating bone disease due to loss of functional osteoprotegerin (OPG), is caused by recessive mutations in TNFRFSF11B. A genotype-phenotype correlation spanning from mild to very severe forms is described., Aim: This study aimed to describe the complexity of the human phenotype of OPG deficiency in more detail and to investigate heterozygous mutation carriers for clinical signs of JPD., Patients: We investigated 3 children with JPD from families of Turkish, German, and Pakistani descent and 19 family members (14 heterozygous)., Results: A new disease-causing 4 bp-duplication in exon 1 was detected in the German patient, and a microdeletion including TNFRFSF11B in the Pakistani patient. Skeletal abnormalities in all affected children included bowing deformities and fractures, contractures, short stature and skull involvement. Complex malformation of the inner ear and vestibular structures (2 patients) resulted in early deafness. Patients were found to be growth hormone deficient (2), displayed nephrocalcinosis (1), and gross motor (3) and mental (1) retardation. Heterozygous family members displayed low OPG levels (12), elevated bone turnover markers (7), and osteopenia (6). Short stature (1), visual impairment (2), and hearing impairment (1) were also present., Conclusion: Diminished OPG levels cause complex changes affecting multiple organ systems, including pituitary function, in children with JPD and may cause osteopenia in heterozygous family members. Diagnostic and therapeutic measures should aim to address the complex phenotype., (Copyright © 2017 by the Endocrine Society)

Objectives: An intraoperative neural response telemetry-ratio (NRT-ratio) was established, which can provide information about the intraoperative intracochlear electrode array position for perimodiolar electrodes., Methods: In a retrospective controlled study in 2 tertiary referral centers, the electrophysiological data sets of 50 patients with measured intraoperative auto-NRTs and postoperative radiological examinations were evaluated. All patients were implanted with Nucleus slim straight electrodes. The NRT-ratio was calculated by dividing the average auto-NRT data from electrodes 16 to 18 with the average from electrodes 5 to 7. Using a flat panel tomography system or a computed tomography, the position of the electrode array was certified radiological., Results: Radiologically, 2 out of 50 patients were identified with an electrode translocated from the scala tympani into the scala vestibuli. The radiologically estimated electrodes indicating a scalar change showed a regular NRT-ratio but nonspecific NRT-level changes at the localization of translocation., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Background: The number of elderly patients with indication for cochlear implantation is increasing. Our aim was to investigate whether seniors with cochlea implants differ from younger patients with regard to hearing improvement, surgical complications and rehabilitation., Patients and Methods: Patients older than 60 years (ys) having received a cochlea implant in 2007-2012 were included (Group I 60-70 ys; Group II <70 ys). Preoperative risk factors according to ASA-Criteria and postoperative complications were analyzed. Improvements in quality of live were evaluated by questionnaire. Audiological outcome was tested by Freiburger speech test and OLSA sentence test with background noise. Patients with comparable conditions for cochlea implantation between 40 and 59 years of age served as control group (Group K)., Results: Patient cohort consisted of 94 patients, 29 of which being older than 70 years. Severe complications were inexistent postoperatively. Gr. II achieved a speech perception for numbers of 95% (65 dB) and 50% (65 dB) for monosyllables. The speech perception in Gr. II was not significantly different from Gr. I or K. According to the quality of life test all groups experienced an improvement in their social life., Conclusion: Old age itself is no contraindication to cochlea implantation. It has little influence on the postoperative speech perception even though the learning curve of the elderly rises slower. However, careful assessment with regard to surgical risk factors and expected outcome is necessary., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

To investigate the long-term outcome of interdisciplinary treatment in a tertiary care neuro-otology institution after 2 years as part of the Dizziness and Vertigo Registry study. Risk factors associated with unfavourable outcome were assessed. 3113 consecutive patients with disorders of vertigo and dizziness were recruited prospectively between March 2010 and February 2012. Patients were clinically assessed and treated according to their diagnosis. Standardized instruments were used at baseline and at 2-year follow-up [Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Quality of Life Questionnaire, General Depression Scale, Stait-Trait Anxiety Index], as well as a custom health-related questionnaire. The primary outcome variable of this observational study was the change in DHI after 2 years. Patients suffered from phobic postural vertigo (23%), benign peripheral paroxysmal vertigo (14.4%), unilateral vestibulopathy (10.5%), central vestibular disorders (8%), Menière's disease (9.8%), vestibular migraine (6.9%), bilateral vestibulopathy (5.5%), and vestibular paroxysmia (3.1%). Mean disease duration was 4.6 ± 6.3 years. 1272 patients were available for follow-up, 1159 completed the DHI score. 72.1% of patients improved in DHI score from baseline to 2 years follow-up. Mean reduction in DHI score was 14 points (p = 0.02). Long-term outcome following diagnosis and treatment in a specialized tertiary care centre is good and persistent after 2 years. Risk factors for an unfavourable outcome were advanced age, severe disability, constant vertigo or dizziness, and concomitant back pain, while depression and anxiety did not contribute to this risk considerably.

Background: Wound healing problems and chronic wounds can be a therapeutic challenge are a frequent problem after radiotherapy. They can appear spontaneously or after further surgery. The permanently altered tissue is associated with recurrent bacterial infections with weeping wounds, which cannot be treated sufficiently by conventional conservative wound care. The topical application of medical honey seems to have a positive effect in such cases. The aim of this prospectively study is to check this effectiveness in the treatment of wound healing problems and chronic wounds in the head and neck area of irradiated patients., Patients and Methods: In the period of July 2012 until August 2013 nine patients were treated with medical honey. All pa-tients had previously radiotherapy in the head and neck area. 5 patients had protracted wound healing problems after salvage surgery. The remaining 4 cases had spontaneously dehiscenced wounds at the beginning of the study. The wound healing was confirmed by measurement of the wound edges and depth and by adequate photo documentation., Results: In all cases, the conventional wound care was unsuccessfully. In 8 of 9 cases, the wounds could be brought to cure by the application of medical honey over 3-8 weeks. Side effects or allergic reactions to the medical honey were not seen in any -cases., Conclusion: Based on our clinical experience we believe that the topical application of medical honey in non-healing or recurrent wounds in the head and neck area after radiotherapy is a reason-able and successful alternative therapy., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: Rehabilitation success in cochlear implant patients is influenced by many factors. Influence of different etiologies of deafness on rehabilitation outcome is assessed., Study Design: Retrospective survey of patients., Setting: University hospital. Secondary referral center., Patients: One hundred and sixty-three between 1996 and 2008 implanted children (0-18 years, mean 5.17 years)., Interventions: Evaluation of patients' data: origin of deafness, hearing and speech test results. Access Data Base; Wilcoxon and t-test., Results: Mean follow-up: 65.4 months. Etiology of deafness in children found in 104 cases: 69 (51.9%) suffered from hereditary hearing loss. All children showed improvement in their auditory performance, children with connexin-26 mutation performed significantly best, Usher and CHARGE-syndrome children significantly worst. Post-meningitic and post-septic children developed slower but reached same levels later., Discussion: Primary cause of deafness, among other factors, has a considerable impact on outcome of rehabilitation. This offers possibilities to influence the outcome by etiology-adjusted therapy modules.

Background. Postoperative imaging after cochlear implantation is usually performed by conventional cochlear view (X-ray) or by multislice computed tomography (MSCT). MSCT after cochlear implantation often provides multiple metal artefacts; thus, a more detailed view of the implant considering the given anatomy is desirable. A quite new method is flat panel volume computed tomography. The aim of the study was to evaluate the method's clinical use. Material and Methods. After cochlear implantation with different implant types, flat panel CT scan (Philips Allura) was performed in 31 adult patients. Anatomical details, positioning, and resolution of the different electrode types (MedEL, Advanced Bionics, and Cochlear) were evaluated interdisciplinary (ENT/Neuroradiology). Results. In all 31 patients cochlear implant electrode array and topographical position could be distinguished exactly. Spatial resolution and the high degree of accuracy were superior to reported results of MSCT. Differentiation of cochlear scalae by identification of the osseous spiral lamina was possible in some cases. Scanning artefacts were low. Conclusion. Flat panel CT scan allows exact imaging independent of implant type. This is mandatory for detailed information on cochlear electrode position. It enables us to perform optimal auditory nerve stimulation and allows feed back on surgical quality concerning the method of electrode insertion.

Objective. Aquaporin 5 plays an important role in maintaining inner ear water and fluid homeostasis. Since the aquaporin (AQP) 5 promoter-1364A/C polymorphism is associated with altered AQP5 expression and this could impact upon key mechanisms of Menière's disease, we tested the hypothesis that genotypes of the AQP5 promoter-1364A/C polymorphism are associated with the incidences of Menière's disease (MD), familial Menière's disease (FMD), or endolymphatic hydrops (EH). Methods. With approval of the local ethics committee, DNA of 102 patients (39 with MD, 54 with FMD, and 9 with EH) and of 292-matched Caucasian controls was isolated from blood samples and genotyped for the AQP 5 promoter-1364A/C polymorphism. The χ (2)-test was applied to compare genotype distributions and allele frequencies between patients and controls. Results. Overall, genotype frequencies were not different between controls (AA 69%, AC 30%, CC 1%) and patients with MD AA: 65.7% (23 MD, 37 FMD, and 8 EH); AC: 23.5% (12 MD, 11 FMD, and 1 EH); CC: 3.9% (1 MD, 3 FMD, and 0 EH). However, subgroup analysis revealed the CC genotype to be more frequent in patients with FMD (5.9%) than in healthy controls (1%) (P = 0.042). Conclusions. Overall, genotypes of the -1364A/C AQP5 gene polymorphism are not associated with a significant increased risk for Menière's disease.

A§E® is an audiological evaluation tool based on speech sounds as stimuli and was developed by The Eargroup, Antwerp. It consists of three levels: detection, discrimination and identification of phonemes and is a sufficient tool to measure supraliminal auditory capacities in Flemish language of children 10 months and older as well as adults. The aim of this study was to test the suitability of patients for cochlear implant in Germany, using 245 consecutive measurements (141 adults, 79 children, 25 controls) in a standard test protocol for phoneme detection and discrimination, Mainzer and Göttinger in children and Freiburger in adults pre-, 3 and 6 months and 1 year after implantation. Results in detection and discrimination regarding frequency spectrum and fitting parameters were evaluated using the following statistical methods: t test and correlation analysis. Detection improves first, followed by numbers, phoneme discrimination and monosyllables. Test results compared pre- to 3, 6 months and later, postoperatively, differ significantly (p < 0.05). A "ceiling-effect" is obtained between 6 months and 1 year (reproduction in A§E® >90%). Development of detection and discrimination correlates directly with results in numbers and monosyllables (r = 0.92). Non-German speaking patients cope better with A§E® than with numbers and monosyllables. Evaluation of phoneme discrimination enables better frequency specific fitting. Results indicated that A§E® is a valuable diagnostic supplement in fitting and therapy of cochlear implant patients regardless of cognitive level, age and language. Important information on frequency-resolving power of cochlear nerve after implantation is gained. Use of A§E® enables comparability and evaluation of study results in different countries.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether exposure to a second language in bilingual families influences the spoken German skills after cochlear implantation. A further question was how many children with migration background are bilingual., Study Design: Retrospective case review., Setting: Tertiary referral center; cochlear implant program., Patients: Ninety-three profoundly hearing-impaired children; 52 of these children reside in bilingual and 41 in monolingual homes., Intervention: Cochlear implantation before the age of 6 years, speech and language skills assessments., Main Outcome Measures: Standard speech perception and receptive and expressive language measures. Data on used primary and secondary languages were obtained by questionnaire., Results: Children growing up in bilingual homes performed worse than children from monolingual homes in all performed speech tests. Almost all children with bilingual parents indicated German as their main language. In some cases, the second language is used actively, but in most children, the use is limited to single words and expressions. However, some children from bilingual homes achieve high skill level in German language and, furthermore, develop competency in second spoken language., Conclusion: Advanced language skills including the learning of a second spoken language are possible for children with cochlear implant living in bilingual homes, but that is the exception rather than the rule. It seems that other factors, such as spoken German language skills of the parents, integration of the family, and compliance with the rehabilitation program, play an important role. Therefore, a special support for children with cochlear implants from bilingual homes is needed.

Objective: Carcinomas can have influence on the coagulation system by different factors. Locally pathological changes of metabolism, neo-vascularisation, oxygenation and tissue pressure as well as locally and systemically activities of the tumor cells, are part of it. The coagulation situation in patients with head and neck carcinomata is characterized only insufficiently till now., Material and Methods: In a prospective pilot study 20 male patients with squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck area were subjected to a detailed coagulation diagnostics pre and post therapeutically and, age and sex corrected, compared with a control group (n=37)., Results: For the routine parameters PTT, Quick, TZ and INR no differences between the groups could be recognized. For the tumour patients a statistically significant increase arose for the acute phase proteins like factor I (fibrinogen), factor VIII, factor IX, von- Willebrand antigen and activity before therapy. Increased values were found also for plasmin, factor II, factor V and the thrombin-antithrombin-III-complex (TAT) whereas the values for antithrombin-III were degraded significantly. In the tumour patients the pre-therapeutical increased values for the activation marker TAT brought themselves back to normal after the tumour ablative therapy., Conclusions: TAT could be suitable as a potential tumour marker but also for relapse tumours. To evidence this, a study of longer duration and with a larger number of patients is necessary., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: To investigate whether the insertion/deletion polymorphism (-94ins/delATTG) in the promoter of NF kappa B1 is associated with the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy., Design and Setting: Retrospective study with genotyping performed from tonsillar tissue or blood., Patients: One hundred forty-eight patients having undergone tonsillectomy due to chronic tonsillitis, with or without posttonsillectomy hemorrhage., Measurements and Results: DNA-extraction from paraffin-embedded tonsillectomy tissue or blood was followed by genotyping for the insertion/deletion (-94ins/delATTG) promoter NF kappa B1 polymorphism. Genotypes differed significantly between patients with (n = 56) and without (n = 92) posttonsillectomy hemorrhage, with the frequency of the homozygous deletion genotype carriers (DD) significantly increased in those with posttonsillectomy bleeding with an odds ratio (OR) for bleeding of 3.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-11.7, P = .023) but not in homozygous (II) insertion and heterozygous (ID) genotype carriers (II/ID). Genotype distribution in patients was compatible with the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. In contrast, there were no statistically significant differences between patients with or without posttonsillectomy hemorrhage with regard to demographic characteristics, different surgeons, postoperative medications like analgesics, antibiotics, anticoagulation therapy, or values of variables of pre- and postoperative coagulation studies. Likewise, these variables revealed no differences between genotypes., Conclusions: Carriers of the homozygous deletion allele were at an almost fourfold risk to develop posttonsillectomy hemorrhage compared to homozygous and heterozygous insertion allele carriers, independent of other risk factors.

Background and Purpose: Vascular erosion is a rare but life-threatening complication after radiotherapy. The authors report on acute arterial bleeding and its therapy following radiotherapy of oropharyngeal tumors., Patients and Methods: Ten patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of any stage developed foudroyant acute arterial hemorrhage 3-46 months (14.4 +/- 5.1 months) after primary (5/10) or adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy (R[C]T)., Results: All patients had a history of recurrent minor bleeding episodes and showed deep mucosal ulcerations also outside the primary tumor region. A life-threatening arterial hemorrhage appeared in the area of these mucosal defects in the pharyngeal region. Affected vessels were the common carotid artery as well as the internal and the external portion with branches like the ascending pharyngeal and superior thyroid arteries. Treatment consisted of emergency intubation or tracheotomy followed by exposure and package of the pharynx and surgical ligature and/or embolization. 6/10 patients (all hospitalized) survived the episode, however, lethal outcome in 4/10 patients (outpatients) was related to asphyxia as a result of blood aspiration or exsanguination. None of the patients revealed evidence of persistent or recurrent tumor disease as proven by biopsy/autopsy and imaging technique., Conclusion: Vascular erosion following primary or adjuvant R(C)T represents a rare and potentially life-threatening complication requiring immediate emergency treatment involving head and neck surgeons, anesthesiologists and neuroradiologists. For patients with oropharyngeal neoplasms treated by R(C)T and showing recurrent bleeding episodes and mucosal ulceration particularly after the acute treatment phase, hospitalization with prophylactic surgical ligature or embolization of affected arteries is recommended.

Background: Due to the growing number of cochlear implant (CI) patients, a well organized system of patient data allowing swift access is required. Therefore, a databank has been designed to achieve an effective interdisciplinary flow of information between diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation., Methods: The departments of audiology, CI fitting, speech and hearing rehabilitation, logopaedics and medical staff were requested to design forms containing relevant data for the evaluation of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation outcome. Forms were optimized and finally adjusted to an Access database. Time management and satisfaction of employees were evaluated by questionnaire. The local ethics committee authorized the project., Results: To achieve optimal administration of CI patient data a working platform founded on an Access data base was designed. Patient data were available almost immediately after diagnosis and therapy to all other partners within the CI centre, leading to better time management in the planning of CI therapy and consequently improved rehabilitation. In addition, internal communication between the different disciplines improved significantly. A number of data sheets are used to illustrate how the database functions., Conclusion: Using this database we were able to improve the flow of information in our CI centre, as well as significantly reduce the time required for administrative tasks such as letters to doctors, health insurances, schools. Finally, data are available for scientific and economic purposes, including their possible long-term integration in an electronic patient file.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of different real-time true fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) sequences regarding their ability to depict the swallowing process and delineate oropharyngeal pathologies in patients with dysphagia. Real-time TrueFISP visualization of swallowing was performed in 8 volunteers and 6 patients with dysphagia using a 1.5 T scanner (Magnetom Sonata, Siemens, Erlangen Germany) equipped with high-performance gradients (amplitude 40 mT/m). Image quality of four different real-time TrueFISP sequences (TR 2.2-3.0 ms, TE 1.1-1.5 ms, matrix 63 x 128-135 x 256, field of view 250 mm(2), acquisition time per image 139-405 ms) was evaluated. Water, yoghurt, and semolina pudding were assessed as oral contrast agents. Functional exploration of the oropharyngeal apparatus was best possible using the fastest real-time TrueFISP sequence (TR 2.2 ms, TE 1.1 ms, matrix 63 x 128). Increased acquisition time resulted in blurring of anatomical structures. As the image contrast of TrueFISP sequences depends on T2/T1 properties, all tested foodstuff were well suited as oral contrast agents, but image quality was best using semolina pudding. Real-time visualization of swallowing is possible using real-time TrueFISP sequences in conjunction with oral contrast agents. For the functional exploration of swallowing high temporal resolution is more crucial than spatial resolution.