Videofluoroskopi

Videofluoroskopi, also known as a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or modified barium swallow (MBS), is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the process of swallowing. It involves using a C-arm fluoroscope, a type of X-ray machine, to produce real-time moving images of the pharynx and larynx during swallowing. Patients are given food or liquids mixed with barium sulfate, a radiopaque contrast agent that makes the structures visible on X-ray. The barium allows clinicians to observe the movement of the bolus of food or liquid from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus.

The procedure is typically conducted by a speech-language pathologist or radiologist. It helps identify abnormalities in the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of swallowing. These abnormalities can include issues with tongue movement, bolus transit time, laryngeal elevation, epiglottic inversion, and aspiration, which is when food or liquid enters the airway below the vocal cords. Videofluoroskopi is invaluable in diagnosing dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, and in determining the most appropriate treatment strategies, such as dietary modifications, swallowing exercises, or compensatory techniques. The real-time visual feedback provided by the study is crucial for understanding the biomechanics of swallowing and for tailoring interventions to individual patient needs.