Videofluoroscopy Part 1: Indicators for the Exam

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Video Runtime: 37 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 32 Minutes

A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is an important tool for speech-language pathologists to leverage during assessment and treatment planning for persons experiencing dysphagia. However, a lack of standardized VFSS practice currently exists, and many clinicians lack knowledge regarding best practice. In this course, we review the rationale for VFSS and the questions that it can answer.

Meet your instructor

Catriona Steele

Dr. Catriona M. Steele is the director of the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. She also teaches in the graduate department of speech-language pathology at the University of Toronto. Prior to completing her PhD, Dr. Steele worked as a medical speech-language pathologist for…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Dysphagia: Definitions and Prevalence

The word dysphagia means “difficulty swallowing,” but different people have different operational definitions for the clinical condition of dysphagia. We will propose a definition of oropharyngeal dysphagia based on the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and discuss what is known about the prevalence of dysphagia as a feature of different clinical conditions.

2. What Is a Videofluoroscopy, and What Questions Can It Answer?

The videofluoroscopy is a dynamic X-ray procedure that allows direct visualization of bolus flow and swallowing physiology. We will review the questions that can be answered about swallowing function and impairment using videofluoroscopy as well as questions that cannot be answered using this procedure.

3. Developing Your VFSS Questions

We will use a case study format to identify priority questions regarding patient swallowing that can be answered by a VFSS.

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