From the Guidelines
A dysphagiagram can be repeated when there are changes in swallowing function, after treatment interventions, or when monitoring disease progression, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Key Considerations
- The decision to repeat a dysphagiagram should be made by the healthcare provider based on clinical judgment, taking into account the individual patient's needs and medical history.
- Follow-up studies are typically performed 3-6 months after initial evaluation or treatment, but timing may vary depending on the patient's condition and response to treatment.
- For patients undergoing swallowing therapy, a repeat study may be done after completing a treatment course to assess improvement.
- In progressive conditions like ALS or Parkinson's disease, studies might be repeated every 6-12 months to monitor deterioration.
- After stroke or head/neck surgery, follow-up studies are often conducted at 1,3, and 6 months to track recovery.
Important Factors to Consider
- Changes in swallowing function, such as increased coughing during meals or unexplained weight loss, may warrant an immediate repeat study.
- The healthcare provider should weigh the benefits of repeating a dysphagiagram against the risks of unnecessary radiation exposure.
- Instrumental evaluation, such as video fluoroscopy or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, may be used to assess swallowing function and guide treatment decisions, as recommended by recent studies 1.
Clinical Judgment and Patient-Centered Care
- The healthcare provider should use their clinical judgment to determine the best course of action for each patient, taking into account their unique needs and medical history.
- Patient-centered care should prioritize the patient's quality of life, morbidity, and mortality, and the decision to repeat a dysphagiagram should be made with these outcomes in mind, as emphasized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines 1.
From the Research
Repeating a Dysphagiagram
- There is no specific information in the provided studies regarding when a dysphagiagram can be repeated 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies focus on the diagnosis and evaluation of dysphagia, as well as the use of various tests such as barium swallow, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) 2, 3, 4, 5.
- They also discuss the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia and malnourishment 2, 3.
- However, none of the studies provide guidance on the timing or frequency of repeating a dysphagiagram, suggesting that this information may not be readily available in the existing research 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.