Table 6 - Comparison of diagnostic tests in oropharyngeal dysphagia
From the following article
Oral, pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter motility disorders
Benson T. Massey and Reza Shaker
GI Motility online (2006)
doi:10.1038/gimo19
| Modality | Videofluoroscopy | Videoendoscopy |
| Strengths | Identify bolus transit abnormalities | Identify bolus transit abnormalities |
| Detect laryngeal aspiration | Detect laryngeal aspiration | |
| Detect intra- and extraluminal structural abnormalities | Detect vocal cord dysfunction | |
| Assess abnormal tongue and hyolaryngeal motion | Detect intraluminal structural and mucosal abnormalities | |
| Identify reduced upper esophageal sphincter opening and Zenker's diverticulum | Detect abnormalities of sensation | |
| Portable; can be done at bedside. | ||
| Limitations | Radiation exposure | Limited assessment of oral phase |
| Not portable | Loss of view during pharyngeal phase | |
| Limited assessment of vocal cord function | No assessment of UES opening during swallow | |
| Insensitive to small amounts of residue | Limited assessment of extraluminal processes | |
| Limited assessment of mucosal abnormalities | Uncomfortable/patient intolerance/epistaxis/vasovagal reaction |
