Comparison between videofluoroscopy and milk-swallow endoscopy in the assessment of swallowing function

The investigation of swallowing function and the detection of aspiration ha s evolved over the past 10 years with the introduction of the fibreoptic en doscopic assessment. Practical reasons can limit the use of videofluoroscop y in some patients. A prospective study of 20 sets of videofluoroscopic and endoscopic assessments of swallowing function were compared. Endoscopic as sessment was found to be a highly sensitive and specific method of determin ing swallowing safety. Reduced or absent laryngeal sensation at endoscopy c orrelates with silent aspiration and thus a high risk of aspiration pneumon ia.