Dysphagia is a debilitating condition that can lead to severe complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and even death. The prevalence of dysphagia increases with age and is commonly a result of various medical conditions and their associated treatment complications.

The current gold standard investigation for diagnosing dysphagia is the Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study(VFSS), a dynamic fluoroscopic study often performed in collaboration between speech therapists and radiologists.

The use of fluoroscopy makes it possible to visualise bolus flow through the aerodigestive tract in relation to structural changes, enabling real-time evaluation of the patient’s swallowing physiology.

This allows the clinician to:

• Detect the presence and timing of any penetration/aspiration
• Identify underlying functional and/or structural abnormalities
• Observe the effects of different bolus consistencies/volumes on swallowing
• Evaluate efficacy of compensatory strategies