Modified Barium Swallow - FAQs

A:A Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) is a fluoroscopic procedure designed to determine whether food or liquid is entering a person’s lungs, also known as aspiration.

It permits the medical team to observe the coordination of anatomical structures in the mouth and throat, as they are actively functioning when chewing, drinking, and swallowing. It also identifies the reason for aspiration.

A:A Speech Pathologist administers materials (thin to thick liquid consistencies of Barium and solids as indicated) as the patient is seated upright in the lateral and anterior-posterior positions. A Radiologist and Radiology Technician perform the fluoroscopy (type of x-ray) to visualize the swallowing process.

A:Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) is frequently confused with a Barium Swallow. MBS is an analysis of swallowing through 3 phases: oral (mouth), pharyngeal (throat) and upper esophagus.

A Barium Swallow focuses on the propulsion of liquid through the esophagus and into the stomach. Differences between these procedures include:

MBS May eat before test Seated upright or standing Oral, pharyngeal, upper esophagus Uses various foods and liquids

Barium Swallow Nothing by mouth 12 hours prior May be lying down on table Transit from mouth to stomach Uses thin liquid Barium

A:The Modified Barium Swallow enables the speech pathologist and the physician to identify more clearly the reason or etiology of dysphagia, rule out aspiration and make decisions regarding management of the patient’s swallowing disorder. The speech pathologist needs a specific etiology identified before swallowing treatment can be initiated. A treatment plan is developed for each patient specific to individual needs.