A video fluoroscopy barium swallow is an x-ray examination to demonstrate the movement and structure of your mouth, throat and gullet during swallowing. As these structures are not seen on plain x-rays barium is used mixed with food and drink to highlight them. This allows us to assess what happens when you swallow certain consistencies of food and drink, and identify any problems you may have.
The examination will be carried out by a team including a specialist radiographer, speech language therapist and a nurse. We are a training hospital and a student may also be present during your examination, please inform a member of staff if this is unacceptable.
You may wish to bring a relative or friend with you to listen to the findings of your examination with you, though they cannot accompany you in the x-ray room during the procedure. You may wear your own clothes for this examination, comfortable clothing is advised.
Once you have booked in at reception you will be taken into the x-ray room. Once in the x-ray room the procedure will be explained and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. Please inform the radiographer if there is a possibility of pregnancy.
The speech language therapist may have contacted you prior to the examination asking you to bring samples of the kind of foods that cause you problems at home, if not don’t worry, just let us know when you arrive. You will be asked to swallow types of food or drink mixed with barium and we will record the x-ray images as you swallow.
We may do this several times in different positions. Any feeding tubes in your nose or stomach that you may have, do not have to be removed for this procedure.
The examination takes approximately 45 minutes
This investigation involves exposure to X-rays. X-rays consist of a type of radiation known as ionising radiation. The doses that are used in medical X-rays are very low and the associated risks are minimal. The radiographer is responsible for making sure that your dose is kept as low as possible and that the benefits of having the x-ray outweigh any risk.
Alternative imaging may be available, but your doctor feels that this is the most appropriate test for you. Please speak to your referring doctor, or to the radiologist on the day of your examination for more information.
When your examination is complete the speech and language therapist will discuss the findings with you. You may receive further information by letter regarding any treatment or care plan.
