Videofluoroscopy: Current Clinical Impact in Deglutology

Abstract

Dynamic recording of swallowing enables analysis of the whole swallowing tract and is therefore the method of choice for evaluation of functional as well as morphological abnormalities in patients with swallowing disorders. It is a very useful tool in the evaluation of the oropharynx and the esophageal phase of swallowing as well. Videofluoroscopy can be performed in children and adults of any ages. Weakness of this method is need of radiation exposure, the fact, that malignancy may not be ruled out completely, and longer education and experience time. According to the clinical problem, a tailored investigation with additional modifications including therapeutic swallowing maneuvers or a tablet test allow exact analysis of the whole swallowing tract as a basis for other diagnostic tests or to complete their results in a complementary way. A variety of different disciplines are involved in the management of patients with deglutition disorders using different techniques. Videofluoroscopy serves as an ideal first test complementary to other investigations, requiring close cooperation between involved disciplines.