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Review
. 2023 Feb;38(1):23-32.
doi: 10.1007/s00455-022-10447-z. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Radiation Use and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Adult Modified Barium Swallow Studies

Heather Shaw Bonilha  1 , Cheri L Canon  2 , Ashli O'Rourke  3 , Sameer Tipnis  4 , Bonnie Martin-Harris  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Stakeholder Perspectives on Radiation Use and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Adult Modified Barium Swallow Studies

Heather Shaw Bonilha et al. Dysphagia. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

The Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) is a videofluoroscopic examination of the anatomy and physiology involved in swallowing. Like other fluoroscopic examinations, the MBSS uses ionizing radiation with related radiation risks. Thus, the procedures and protocols related to MBSSs must balance the benefit of the diagnostic information gained with the risk of radiation exposure. This requires complex decision-making for any given clinician but becomes complicated due to the interprofessional nature of conducting MBSSs, namely the direct involvement of both the speech-language pathologist and radiologist with indirect involvement of the medical physicist and the referring physician. This editorial provides the perspectives of the various stakeholder groups related to radiation use in adult MBSSs, identifies barriers to conducting MBSSs in an evidence-based manner, and suggests areas for improvement.

Keywords: Deglutition; Dysphagia; Fluoroscopy; Modified Barium Swallow Study; Radiation; Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest Heather Bonilha: Financial interests: Bracco Diagnostics, Inc.; Employment by the Medical University of South Carolina. Cheri Canon: McGraw-Hill book royalties; Employment by University of Alabama – Birmingham. Ashli O’Rourke: Financial interests: GI Supply, Laborie Medical, Carolina Speech Services, Teladoc Inc.; Employment by the Medical University of South Carolina. Sameer Tipnis: Employment by the Medical University of South Carolina. Bonnie Martin-Harris: Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. Fellowship Grants; Financial interests: MBSImP™ royalties from the Medical University of South Carolina owner and license guarantor to Northern Speech Services (NSS). Employment by Northwestern University, Hines Jr. VA.

References

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