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Semin Speech Lang 2017; 38(02): 135-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599111
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Instrumental Assessment of Pediatric Dysphagia

Joan C. Arvedson
1   Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Feeding and Swallowing Services, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
,
Maureen A. Lefton-Greif
2   Departments of Pediatrics, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
21 March 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have fulfilled primary roles in the evaluation and management of children with feeding/swallowing disorders for more than five decades. The increased incidence and prevalence of newborns, infants, and children with feeding and swallowing disorders has resulted in increased use of instrumental swallowing evaluations. The videofluoroscopic swallow study and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing are the two most commonly used swallowing assessments by SLPs, with ultrasound used less frequently. This article focuses on updates over the past decade in the procedures and utility of instrumental assessments of swallowing function, and identifies future directions that may enable us to meet the needs of the children who are in our care to attain functional outcomes.

Keywords

Deglutition - swallowing - evaluation - videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) - fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)
 

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