Abstract
Subjective assessment by experienced clinicians is unable to accurately parameters of the videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Values such as pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) opening, laryngeal elevation, pharyngeal area, and transit times cannot be reliably determined without measuring. Intra- and inter-rater agreement by experienced clinicians for the subjective assessment of some VFSS variables is as low as 70 %. The calculation of objective measures is essential to differentiate normal from disordered swallowing, to monitor the effects of time and intervention, and to provide precise outcome variables for research.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Suggested Reading
Allen J, White CJ, Leonard R, Belafsky PC. Effect of cricopharyngeus muscle surgery on the pharynx. Laryngoscope. 2010 Aug;120(8):1498–1503.
Belafsky PC, Rees CJ, Allen J, Leonard RJ. Pharyngeal dilation in cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction and Zenker diverticulum. Laryngoscope. 2010 May;120(5):889–94.
Johnson ER, McKenzie SW. Kinematic pharyngeal transit times in myopathy: evaluation for dysphagia. Dysphagia. 1993;8(1):35–40.
Johnson ER, McKenzie SW, Rosenquist CJ, Lieberman JS, Sievers AE. Dysphagia following stroke: quantitative evaluation of pharyngeal transit times. Archives Phys Med Rehabil. 1992 May;73(5):419–23.
Kendall KA, McKenzie S, Leonard RJ, Goncalves MI, Walker A. Timing of events in normal swallowing: a videofluoroscopic study. Dysphagia. 2000 Spring;15(2):74–83.
Leonard R, Kendall C, editors. Dysphagia assessment and treatment planning: a team approach. 2nd edn. San Diego: Plural Publishing; 2007.
Leonard R, Belafsky P. Dysphagia following cervical spine surgery with anterior instrumentation: evidence from fluoroscopic swallow studies. Spine. 2011 Dec;36(25):2217–23.
Leonard RJ, Kendall KA, McKenzie S, Goncalves MI, Walker A. Structural displacements in normal swallowing: a videofluoroscopic study. Dysphagia. 2000 Summer;15(3):146–52.
Leonard RJ, Kendall KA, Johnson R, McKenzie S. Swallowing in myotonic muscular dystrophy: a videofluoroscopic study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 July;82(7):979–85.
Leonard R, Kendall K, McKenzie S. UES opening and cricopharyngeal bar in nondysphagic elderly and nonelderly adults. Dysphagia. 2004 Summer;19(3):182–91.
Leonard R, Kendall KA, McKenzie S. Structural displacements affecting pharyngeal constriction in nondysphagic elderly and nonelderly adults. Dysphagia. 2004 Spring;19(2):133–41.
Leonard R, Belafsky PC, Rees CJ. Relationship between fluoroscopic and manometric measures of pharyngeal constriction: the pharyngeal constriction ratio. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2006 Dec;115(12):897–901.
Leonard R, Rees CJ, Belafsky P, Allen J. Fluoroscopic surrogate for pharyngeal strength: the pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR). Dysphagia. 2011 March;26(1):13–7.
Rademaker AW, Pauloski BR, Logemann JA, Shanahan TK. Oropharyngeal swallow efficiency as a representative measure of swallowing function. J Speech Hear Res. 1994 April;37(2):314–25.
Yip H, Leonard R, Belafsky PC. Can a fluoroscopic estimation of pharyngeal constriction predict aspiration? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 Aug;135(2):215–7.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Belafsky, P., Kuhn, M. (2014). Objective Measures on Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies. In: The Clinician's Guide to Swallowing Fluoroscopy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1109-7_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1109-7_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1108-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1109-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)