The American Broncho-Esophagological Association Releases their Position Statement on the Use of Swallowing Fluoroscopy in Adults

Published 05.15.202205.15.2022 by nfosdadmin

By Shumon Dhar, MD FACS (ABEA Position Statement Development Team Leader & NFOSD Medical Advisor)

Swallowing fluoroscopy, radiographic diagnostic modalities which include the video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and esophagram, are widely considered the gold standard in the investigation of swallowing impairment. However, until recently, there was no uniformly accepted or comprehensive standard of practice in the United States. Consequently, there has been a wide array of protocols and interpretative strategies in use across the country.

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Tongue Strengthening Devices for Dysphagia Rehabilitation

Published 04.24.201807.24.2022 by nfosdadmin

[Editor’s Note: The NFOSD’s intent in publishing this material is to provide the dysphagia community with information about treatment options; it is not an endorsement of the products, companies, or therapy approaches. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with an appropriate health care professional, as each individual’s medical situation is unique. It is important that you consult with your medical professional (e.g., physician, SLP) prior to implementing any course of treatment.]

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Deciphering Dysphagia

Published 09.28.201608.27.2019 by nfosdadmin

Byline: Tiffany Turner, MS, CCC-SLP, Owner, Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation, www.tulsasnr.com. Tiffany founded a dysphagia focused outpatient center in 2014 to serve the northeastern Oklahoma region and fill a gap in her community, as she feels adult speech pathology services are often misunderstood and underutilized. She is also an author and publishes resources for other SLPs to use with their patients which have been downloaded by over 2,000 speech-language pathologists worldwide.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, affects up to 15 million adults in the United States. According to past publications, 1 in 25 people will experience some form of dysphagia in their lifetime, including 22% of those age 50 and older (ASHA, 2008; Bhattacharyya, 2014). People at the greatest risk for swallowing impairments include individuals who have had strokes, those with neurological conditions (such Parkinson’s disease), survivors of head and neck cancer, and the elderly. Despite the significant prevalence of dysphagia, this medical condition is often neglected, and many sufferers are never properly diagnosed or treated.

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What Parents Should Know About Radiation Safety and Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies (VFSS)

Published 06.20.201608.27.2019 by nfosdadmin

By: Nancy B. Swigert, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

and

Vesna Martich Kriss, MD

Pediatric Radiologist, Baptist Health Lexington

It has been recommended that your child undergo a video fluoroscopic swallowing evaluation, often called a modified barium swallow, to assess the pharyngeal phase of the swallow. This radiologic procedure exposes your child to x-rays which raises safety questions about the study. Here are some things parents should know about radiation safety and the video fluoroscopic swallowing exam (VFSS).

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Swallowing Assessment Techniques

Published 03.15.201402.16.2015 by nfosdadmin

Byline: Ellen Conover, MA CF-SLP and Jan Pryor, MA CCC-SLP BCS-S

[Editors note. This is a follow on article to a two part mini-series on what to expect during “Your First Swallowing Assessment.”]

You may be thinking that the swallowing specialist already observed the way you swallow. While this is true, additional testing may be needed to determine why you may be having swallowing difficulties. This is because the timing, strength and coordination of swallowing is invisible to the human eye. Research has shown that many individuals aspirate (aspiration – when food or liquid enters the lungs) without coughing and cannot be diagnosed upon initial clinical swallowing evaluations, so further objective or instrumental examinations are ordered. (1)

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