Instrumental Methods for Characterizing the Oropharyngeal Swallow

Videofluoroscopy:  enables visualization of almost all of the motor components of the oropharyngeal swallow.  It is the most frequently utilized instrumental procedure for studying the swallow and can be combined with electromyography, FEES, and manometry.

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallow (FEES):  enables identification of pharyngeal aspects of swallow including the occurrence of aspiration occurs and the presence of residue in the pharynx.  Other dynamics of the swallow, such as tongue base movement, cricopharyngeal opening, and airway entrance closure as well as tongue base motion, are not visible with FEES.

Electromyography:  used to document the timing of muscle contractions during swallow and their coordination

Manometry:  enables measurement of pressure generated during swallow.

Videofluoroscopy Samples

Videofluoroscopy is most commonly used in the research performed in the Swallow Physiology Laboratory.  Here are some samples of swallows recorded with videofluoroscopy.