Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
Published on: September 11, 2011
Effect of a standardized fluoroscopic procedural approach on fluoroscopy time during infant modified barium swallow
Terral Patel1, Clarice Clemmens1, Kathryn Bradburn1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 550, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
Insights
A standardized protocol for modified barium swallow studies (MBSS) significantly reduces fluoroscopy time in infants. This approach minimizes radiation exposure, enhancing safety for pediatric patients undergoing swallowing assessments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Swallowing Disorders
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pediatric dysphagia affects approximately 1% of US children annually, impacting feeding and swallowing.
- The modified barium swallow study (MBSS) is a key diagnostic tool for oropharyngeal swallowing issues.
- MBSS involves ionizing radiation, posing potential long-term risks to infants and children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a standardized MBSS protocol on fluoroscopy time.
- To compare radiation exposure between standardized and non-standardized MBSS procedures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 1378 infants (≤12 months) undergoing MBSS from 2011-2017.
- Categorization of studies into standardized protocol and non-protocol groups.
- Analysis of fluoroscopy time, patient age, diagnosis, and swallowing deficit severity.
Main Results:
- Standardized MBSS protocols resulted in significantly shorter fluoroscopy times (1.5 min) versus non-protocol (2.0 min).
- Aspiration was associated with significantly longer fluoroscopy times across both groups (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Fluoroscopy time in pediatric MBSS is affected by procedural and patient-specific factors.
- Implementing a standardized MBSS protocol can reduce fluoroscopy duration and variability.
Background:
Pediatric dysphagia is a term used to describe dysfunctional feeding and swallowing in infants and children. It is estimated that about 1% of children in the United States are affected by these swallowing problems annually. The modified barium swallow study (MBSS) is considered by many as the gold standard in oropharyngeal swallowing assessment. Despite its diagnostic benefits, MBSS exposes infants to ionizing radiation, which carries potentially deleterious long-term effects for the pediatric population.
Objectives:
Test the effect of a standardized MBSS procedural protocol on fluoroscopy time when compared to a non-standardized procedural approach.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective review of infants ≤12 months who underwent a MBSS between 2011 and 2017 was conducted. Charts were reviewed for fluoroscopy time, age, primary diagnosis, MBSS indication, and severity of swallowing deficits. Infants were categorized as non-protocol or standardized protocol based on the utilized method of videofluoroscopic swallow study execution.
Results:
A total of 1378 MBSS' were included in the analysis. Swallow studies conducted using the standardized procedural protocol had significantly shorter fluoroscopy times (1.5 min) when compared to non-protocol group (2.0 min) (p < 0.001). Patients who aspirated had significantly longer fluoroscopy times when compared to patients who did not aspirate across both groups (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Fluoroscopy time is influenced by both procedural and patient factors. Use of a standardized fluoroscopic procedural protocol appears to reduce fluoroscopy time and variability across patients.
More Related Videos
08:32Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
05:37Cone Beam Intraoperative Computed Tomography-based Image Guidance for Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Interbody Fusion
Published on: August 6, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:24Upper GI Series: Barium Swallow
Purpose and Procedure
Patients undergoing this procedure ingest a liquid containing barium sulfate with a chalky...
01:23Lower GI Series: Barium Enema
Procedure Details
The examination begins by inserting a lubricated rectal tube into the patient's rectum to administer a radiopaque barium solution. The barium flow is carefully...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and...
01:28Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT