Evaluation of swallowing disorders with videofluoroscopy in Austria: a survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to assess the availability of videofluoroscopy to examine patients with swallowing disorders in Austria.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to the department heads of the radiology departments of all hospitals (n=143) and to all non-hospital-based radiologic practices (n=226) throughout Austria. The survey focused on the availability of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and on the studies performed in patients with deglutition disorders.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was completed and returned by 134 of 143 radiology departments (94%) and 65 of 226 non-hospital-based radiologists (29%). Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were performed in 38 of 134 radiology departments (28%) and in 21 of 65 practices (32%). The method is available in all nine Austrian states (100%) and 27 of 99 districts (27%). The number of examinations performed in different states ranged from 0.7 to 19 studies/10,000 population per year. The number of videofluoroscopic examinations per department or practice in the year 2001 ranged between 5 and 690 (median, 100 examinations). To 85% of videofluoroscopy units patients were referred from otorhinolaryngology/phoniatrics-logopedics, to 69% of videofluoroscopy units referrals were also from internal medicine, from neurology in 54%, and from pediatrics in 20%.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the widespread availability of videofluoroscopy throughout Austria, its use still varies largely between different states. The data show that in general there is a wide-spread demand for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies.
Eisenhuber
Edith
E
Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Schima
Wolfgang
W
Stadler
Alfred
A
Schober
Ewald
E
Schibany
Nadja
N
Denk
Doris-Maria
DM
D001317:Austria; D002933:Cineradiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009462:Neurology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011871:Radiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data