If you have further questions, please ask your
Speech & Language Therapist, or make contact
with:
The Speech and Language Therapy Department
Derriford Hospital
0845 155 8084
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Tel: 01752 777111
A PATIENT’S GUIDE TO
VIDEOFLUOROSCOPY
or
X-ray West
Derriford Hospital
A moving X-ray of the swallowing
process
Telephone number: 01752 439284
This leaflet is available in large print.
Contact the Speech and Language Therapy
Department.
July, 2012
Leaflet produced by Jenny Wood, Professional Lead for Speech and
Language Therapy, Derriford Hospital
Review date: uly, 2014
WHAT IS IT?
Videofluoroscopy is a moving X-ray picture used
to give detailed information to help assessment
of swallowing problems (sometimes called
‘dysphagia’). The moving X-ray focuses on the
head, neck and upper chest area and allows us to
see what happens before, during and after
swallowing occurs. This information is seen on a
television screen and recorded on video.
What should you expect?
 If you are an in-patient you will be brought
down to X-Ray West wearing whatever you
normally wear on the ward. You will not
need to change into a hospital gown if you
are not already wearing one.
 If you are an outpatient please report to the
reception desk in X-Ray West in good time
for your appointment. You will be able to
wear your own clothes during the
procedure, but you may need to remove
jewellery or any clothing which obstructs
the view of the head and neck area.
 You will be directed to the X-ray room
where you will be helped to sit on a chair
beside the X-ray machine. The test lasts
about 20 minutes.
 A Speech and Language Therapist, a
Radiologist (a doctor specialising in X-ray
interpretation), and a radiographer will be
in the room. There will also a be a nurse
present to help you.
 During the procedure you will be asked to
swallow small amounts of different
textures of food and drink containing a
contrast substance which shows up on Xray. As you swallow the mixture, we watch
on the screen.
Is it harmful?
Videofluoroscopy, like any X-ray, has a
radiation dosage but it is very low and poses
minimal risk.
When will you have the results?
The speech and language therapist will be able
to give you some feedback right after the test.
Sometimes, details of the results need to be
discussed with your doctor first.