[Developments in dysphagia diagnostics : Presentation of an interdisciplinary concept]

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Phoniatrics
• Swallowing Disorders

Background:

• Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are increasingly prevalent due to demographic shifts and medical advancements.
• Current diagnostic and treatment approaches face challenges in efficiency and patient-specific care.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial given the complex and often co-existing causes of dysphagia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a phoniatric-led dysphagia day clinic concept for efficient and comprehensive swallowing disorder evaluation.
• To highlight the role of ENT specialists and phoniatricians in endoscopic swallowing diagnostics.
• To emphasize the importance of individualized treatment planning and interdisciplinary patient care.

Main Methods:

• Endoscopic swallowing diagnostics, including thorough upper aerodigestive tract endoscopy.
• Integration of technical innovations like narrow band imaging (NBI) for enhanced visualization.
• Individualized examination procedures, including tailored test consistencies and "dipping maneuver" for subglottic/tracheal assessment.

Main Results:

• The proposed dysphagia day clinic model enables complete and efficient evaluation of swallowing disorders.
• Advanced endoscopic techniques improve the accuracy and detail of dysphagia diagnosis.
• Individualized patient assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration lead to comprehensive treatment concepts.

Conclusions:

• Phoniatric leadership in a dysphagia day clinic facilitates efficient, patient-centered diagnosis and treatment.
• Individualized care, incorporating patient wishes and medical factors, is paramount.
• An interdisciplinary team approach optimizes counseling and therapy planning for swallowing disorders.