What’s this procedure?

Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Exam (VFSE)

This is a swallowing test. VFSE is a radiological examination of swallowing function that uses a special movie-type X-ray called fluoroscopy. The patient is observed swallowing various consistencies and textures, ranging from thin barium to barium-coated cookies, in order to evaluate their ability to swallow safely and effectively. This exam is often performed with a speech-language pathologist present.