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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging
Published on: May 11, 2014
Simultaneous modified Evans blue dye procedure and video nasal endoscopic evaluation of the swallow
J Donzelli1, S Brady, M Wesling
1Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Limited, Carol Stream, Illinois, USA.
Objective:
To investigate the results of the modified Evans blue dye test (MEBD) aspiration detection rate to the video nasal endoscopic examination of the swallow (VEES) during simultaneous studies with direct viewing of the subglottis through the tracheostomy site opening by means of endoscopy.
Study Design:
Prospective, consecutive.
Methods:
Fifteen consecutive simultaneous MEBD and VEES studies were completed on patients with tracheostomies at an acute care rehabilitation hospital over a 4-month period. All patients were referred to the swallowing center for a video nasal endoscopic examination who had known or suspected dysphagia.
Results:
Aspiration was present in 53% (8) of the studies as documented by the VEES. The MEBD showed an overall 50% false-negative error rate for the detection of aspiration as compared with the VEES. The MEBD identified aspiration in 67% of patients who aspirated more than trace amounts but failed to identify aspiration of trace amounts (0%).
Conclusion:
The results of the current investigation suggest that the MEBD, at best, should be viewed only as a screening tool for the presence of gross amounts of aspiration in patients with a tracheostomy.
Insights
The modified Evans blue dye test (MEBD) has a 50% false-negative rate for detecting aspiration in patients with tracheostomies. It is only a screening tool for gross aspiration, missing trace amounts.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Dysphagia is common in patients with tracheostomies.
- Accurate aspiration detection is crucial for patient management.
- The modified Evans blue dye test (MEBD) is a common screening tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the aspiration detection rate of the MEBD with video nasal endoscopic examination of the swallow (VEES).
- To evaluate the accuracy of MEBD in patients with tracheostomies.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 15 simultaneous MEBD and VEES procedures.
- Patients with tracheostomies and suspected dysphagia were included.
- Direct subglottic visualization was performed via endoscopy.
Main Results:
- Aspiration was detected in 53% of studies by VEES.
- MEBD had a 50% false-negative rate compared to VEES.
- MEBD missed all trace aspirations (0%) but detected gross aspiration in 67%.
Conclusions:
- MEBD is unreliable for detecting all aspiration in tracheostomized patients.
- MEBD should only be used as a screening tool for gross aspiration.
- VEES is a more sensitive method for aspiration detection in this population.
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