The Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study and Dysphagia
The Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study and Dysphagia
The videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing, also known as the modified barium swallow, is considered to be the “gold standard” in the identification and evaluation of dysphagia (McMullough, Wertz, Rosenbek, & Dinneen, 1999). According to Wilcox, Liss, and Siegel (1996) “the procedure incorporates a set of modifications in bolus size, texture, patient positioning, and radiographic focus to facilitate optimum visualization of the oral-pharyngeal-laryngeal structures and their function during swallowing” (pg. 144). The Speech-Language Pathologist utilizes radiographic, or X-ray technology, to visualize the structure and function of the swallow.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reports that the videofluoroscopic swallow study is the primary diagnostic tool utilized by Speech-Language Pathologist’s in dysphagia (2004). Although no one professional is attributed to the development of the procedure, Jeri A. Logemann has been one of the primary professionals in the development and delivery of this procedure (Logemann, 1994).
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2004) the prevalence of swallowing disorders in individuals 50 years and older is up to 22%. The videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is used with infants, children, and adults who demonstrate characteristics of a swallowing disorder (2004). The VFSS has been effective in identifying both aspiration and silent aspiration in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (Chang et al., 2003). In a class three, cross-sectional case study Chang et al. reported that the VFSS was effective in identifying silent aspiration in 96.8% (60/62) of patients (2003). According to the class two clinical study performed by O 'Neil-Pirozzi, Lisiecki, Momose, Connors, and Milliner (2003), the modified barium swallow (MBS) test was
References: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2001). Code of Ethics (revised). ASHA Supplement, 23, pp. 13-15. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2001) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2004). Knowledge and skills needed by speech-language pathologists performing videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. ASHA Supplement 24, 178-183. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Aviv, J. E., Sataoloff, R. T., Cohen, M., Spitzer, J., Ma, G., Bhayani, R., et al. (2001). Cost-effectiveness of two types of dysphagia care in head and neck cancer: a preliminary report- brief article. Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal, 1-4. Chang, Y Shelley, G. L. (1995). Is this an ethical dilemma? must we have a MSS on every dysphagia patient? a possible solution... American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 4(3), 19-20. Stoeckli, S Wilcox, F., & Liss, J. M., Siegel, G.M. (1996). Interjudge agreement in videofluoroscopic studies of swallowing. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 39, 144-152.