Svælgevurdering

Svælgevurdering, or pharyngeal assessment, is a clinical process used to evaluate the structures of the pharynx and swallowing function. In Danish medical practice it is employed to diagnose structural abnormalities, inflammation, infections, tumors, and to assess swallowing safety and efficiency in people with suspected dysphagia or throat symptoms. Indications include persistent dysphagia, odynophagia, coughing during meals, unexplained weight loss, or suspicion of tumors.

The assessment combines medical history, physical examination, and, when indicated, instrumental methods. Instrumental methods include flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), which uses a flexible endoscope to observe the pharynx during swallowing, and videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS), which provides real-time X-ray images of the swallowing process. Nasopharyngoscopy and other imaging techniques may also be used. These tests help visualize the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, assess airway protection, residue, and any penetration or aspiration, informing treatment decisions.

Svælgevurdering is typically performed by ENT specialists or speech-language pathologists, often within multidisciplinary teams that may include radiologists, gastroenterologists, and oncologists. It is relevant across age groups, with particular importance for patients recovering from stroke, head-and-neck cancer, or progressive neuromuscular diseases.

Limitations include patient cooperation, availability of equipment, and radiation exposure with some imaging methods. The findings guide management, including dietary texture modifications, swallow therapy, medical treatment, or surgical interventions, to improve safety and efficiency of swallowing.