TABLE 1.

COMPARISIONS OF TECHNIQUES USED TO EVALUATE ORO-PHARYNGEAL DYSPHAGIA

Procedure	Advantages	Disadvantages
Bedside swallow assessment	Easily performed at the bedside	Does not detect silent aspiration; less objective means of assessment.
Videofluoroscopy	Allows for direct assessment of oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus; can evaluate what is occurring during the swallow without need to infer.	Radiation exposure-limits time; potential difficulty positioning patient; potential influence of the taste and texture of barium.
Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)	Portable; does not expose patient to radiation; patient can view the assessment on screen for biofeedback when performing compensatory swallowing strategies.	Unable to view esophageal function or UES; moment of no vision occurs during swallow due to white-out, so viewing of the entire swallow is not possible.