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Are we testing a true thin liquid?
1Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN 46601, USA. tdivano@yahoo.com
Diluting thin liquid barium (Ultrathin) increased aspiration risk in 50% of patients during videofluoroscopic swallow studies. Standard thin liquid barium may not identify all patients at risk for aspiration.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) are crucial for diagnosing dysphagia.
- Thin liquid barium, like E-Z-EM's Varibar Thin, is commonly used in VFSS.
- Accurate assessment of aspiration risk is vital for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of diluting Varibar Thin liquid barium with water on aspiration.
- To determine if a more water-like consistency (Ultrathin) increases aspiration incidence.
- To assess the diagnostic sensitivity of standard thin liquid barium versus diluted thin liquid barium.
Main Methods:
- Forty adult patients with diverse medical conditions participated.
- Swallowing trials involved standard Varibar Thin liquid and a 50% water-diluted version (Ultrathin).
- Aspiration was monitored across different volumes (2 cc, 5 cc) and delivery methods (cup, straw).
Main Results:
- Fifty percent of patients aspirated on the Ultrathin liquid but not on the standard Varibar Thin liquid.
- Aspiration occurred across various test conditions for these patients.
- This suggests Ultrathin liquid poses a higher aspiration risk than standard thin liquid barium.
Conclusions:
- E-Z-EM's Varibar Thin liquid, despite its low viscosity, may not be sufficiently thin to detect all aspiration risks.
- Diluting thin liquid barium to a water-like consistency (Ultrathin) can increase aspiration incidence.
- Clinicians should consider the potential for increased aspiration risk when using highly diluted thin liquids in VFSS.

