What is a videofluroscopy?

A videofluroscopy is a moving x-ray that shows how a person swallows their food. It shows a speech pathologist how a person’s swallow is working in 3 stages:

  • the oral stage (in the mouth)
  • the pharyngeal phase (in the throat)
  • the upper oesophagus (tube to the stomach)

You may also hear videofluroscopies being called ‘modified barium swallow’ (MBS) assessments. 

These terms can get confusing because there are also ‘barium swallow’ assessments. Barium swallow assessments are not completed by speech pathologists as they look at the lower parts of a swallow (the oesophagus and entrance into the stomach). 

Why do a videofluroscopy?

A speech pathologist may recommend a videofluroscopy for a number of reasons including:

  • Confirming a patient’s swallowing skills
  • Identifying where difficulties are occurring within the swallowing process
  • Assessing risk of aspiration on foods (i.e., determining how likely it is for food or drink to go the ‘wrong way’ towards a person’s a lungs) 
  • Trialling compensatory strategies to support more successful mealtimes (e.g., tucking your chin down to your chest when swallowing)
  • Trialling different textures of foods to determine the safest diet and fluid recommendations

What’s involved in a videofluroscopy?

A videofluroscopy is conducted in the radiology suite. As a patient, you will be required to remove any bulky or metal upper clothing items. You will sit on a bench or chair next to the x-ray machine. You will likely be provided with a range of foods/drinks with different textures which have been mixed with barium. Barium has a chalky flavour however is completely safe for ingestion in this setting. 

Your speech pathologist will provide you with instructions about when and how to swallow your foods and the radiographer will take the moving image of your swallow. It is important to stay as still as possible while the x-ray machine is working. 

After the x-ray is finished, you will receive some feedback from your speech pathologist about what was observed and a report will be completed for you to share with your doctors. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your swallowing, or would like to book a consultation, please contact Hanrahan Health via phone on 02 4862 5063 or via email at admin@hanrahanhealth.com.au. 

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