title: Oropharyngeal function study: radiologic means of evaluating swallowing difficulty.
abstract: The oropharyngeal function study is a videotaped radiographic examination of the oropharynx and cervical esophagus used in patients who are at major risk for aspiration because of swallowing difficulty. Preceding the radiographic evaluation, the patient is assessed clinically by a swallowing therapist who attends the examination with the radiologist. Close cooperation between the therapist and radiologist better defines the specific swallowing problems, avoids inadvertent aspiration of large amounts of contrast material, and best directs proper management of the patient. We describe our cooperative approach to evaluating oropharyngeal dysphagia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Peele
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Gelfand
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate