X-Ray Swallowing Study

Why It Is Done

A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) helps your doctor see why you're having trouble swallowing. And it can help show if food or liquid is getting into your lungs (aspiration). After treatment, it can also show your doctor if the treatment worked.

An esophagram may be done if your doctor thinks you may have a problem with the esophagus, including where it connects to the throat and to the stomach. The test can help diagnose things like:

• A hiatal hernia.
• A tear in the esophagus.
• Certain types of cancer.
• Problems with how the esophagus helps move food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach.

How To Prepare

Your doctor may tell you not to eat anything after midnight the night before the test.

Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant.

How It Is Done

Before the test

• Remove any jewelry that might get in the way of the X-ray picture.
• You may need to take off all or most of your clothes around the area being X-rayed.
• You may be given a gown to wear during the test.
• A lead shield may be placed over your pelvic area to protect it from radiation.

During the test

• Depending on the type of swallow test you're having, you will stand, sit, or lie down in front of the X-ray machine while the test is done.
• The doctor or a speech pathologist will guide you through a series of swallowing steps.
• Depending on the type of study, you will swallow liquid mixed with barium or solid foods coated with barium.
• While you swallow, the doctor or speech pathologist will watch the video screen. You may be asked to take different positions to see how they affect your swallowing. The X-rays are recorded so they can be looked at later.

How long the test takes

The test will take less than an hour.

How It Feels

You won't feel any pain from the X-ray. The barium liquid is thick and chalky, and some people find it hard to swallow. A sweet flavor, like chocolate or strawberry, is used to make it easier to drink.

Risks

The barium in the liquid or food isn't harmful.

Some people gag when they drink the barium fluid. In rare cases, a person may choke and inhale (aspirate) some of the liquid into the lungs.

There is a small chance that the barium will block the intestine or leak into the belly through a perforated ulcer.

If your doctor thinks you may be at risk for complications, the doctor may use a special type of contrast material, such as diatrizoate (Gastrografin), instead of barium.

There is always a small chance of damage to cells or tissue from being exposed to any radiation, even the low level of radiation used for this test.

Results

Normal

The throat and esophagus look normal while you swallow. They do not have swelling, an injury, narrowing, or foreign objects.

Abnormal

The throat and esophagus don't look normal while you swallow. The test may show swelling, an injury, narrowing, or foreign objects that make it hard to swallow. It may show problems with how the throat and esophagus move as you swallow.