ABSTRACT
The evaluation and management of the pediatric patient with a feeding and swallowing
disorder may require the use of specialized studies to evaluate specific aspects of
swallowing function; to judge the consequences of the swallowing dysfunction; and
to assess factors that may be contributing to swallowing dysfunction. Instrumental
assessment of swallowing function may include upper gastrointestinal studies, videofluoroscopy
or videofluoroscopic swallow studies, ultrasonography, radionuctide imaging, fiberoptic
endoscopy of swallowing, and cervical auscultation. Procedures that assess the consequences
and/or identify factors contributing to swallowing dysfunction may include pulse oximetry,
chest x-rays, laryngoscopy and/or bronchoscopy, and pulmonary function tests. The
use of such specialized procedures to evaluate children with dysphagia is the focus
of this article.
KEY WORDS
dysphagia - specialized studies - pediatrics
