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 |