The Bologram - Visualizing and Quantifying Bolus Kinematics in Videofluoroscopy Swallowing Studies

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Kist
• Subject Area: Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 562675554

The proposal addresses the critical issue of dysphagia, a condition affecting a significant portion of the population, especially the elderly and those with specific medical conditions. Dysphagia can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, severely impacting patients' quality of life and straining healthcare resources. VFSS (videofluoroscopic swallowing study) is a standard method for visualizing the entire swallowing process, offering valuable insights into bolus transit, timing, and anatomical interactions. However, current clinical practices for VFSS analysis rely heavily on subjective interpretation, limiting diagnostic precision and treatment planning. This proposal seeks to develop and introduce the Bologram, an innovative tool for visualizing and quantifying swallowing physiology through automated, AI-driven analysis. The proposal outlines three main objectives to be achieved through structured work packages: 1. Creation of a comprehensive annotated dataset for VFSS: Ensuring high-quality data annotation under expert supervision. 2. Development of a robust semantic segmentation pipeline: Employing deep learning models to segment key anatomical structures and dynamic bolus movements. 3. Implementation of the Bologram: Integrating AI-driven algorithms to produce a visual and quantitative representation of bolus kinematics and residue patterns for potential clinical application. The Bologram will serve as a standardized visualization to enhance clinical assessment and communication by depicting essential metrics such as bolus velocity, area coverage, and trajectory. In summary, this project aims to advance fundamental research in medical image analysis, focusing on highly variant temporal data and low-contrast anatomical structures. The goal is to develop the Bologram as a reliable tool to illustrate swallowing physiology and pathophysiology, thereby supporting improved clinical decision-making and training.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Melda Kunduk, Ph.D.; Professorin Deirdre Larsen, Ph.D.