Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Evaluation

If you are having trouble with swallowing or have a history of swallowing difficulty attributed to Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or other neurological disorder, speech-language pathologists may order a videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation (VFSE) to examine your mouth and throat. It can be performed during an endoscopic swallowing evaluation.

What Does Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Evaluation Involve?

A VFSE involves swallowing liquids and foods mixed with barium in order to see how food is passing from your mouth through your throat and down into your esophagus on a moving X-ray. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes.

Based on the results from the VSFE, our otolaryngologists will help you determine the best nutrition plan, including a modified diet or ways to make swallowing safer and easier.