TY - JOUR
T1 - Radiation exposure in modified barium swallow studies
AU - Bonilha, Heather Shaw
AU - Martin-Harris, Bonnie
AU - O'Rourke, Ashli K.
AU - Tipnis, Sameer V.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/12
Y1 - 2020/12
N2 - Purpose of review The modified barium swallow study (MBSS) is an X-ray examination of swallowing used to detect the presence and type impairment, aspiration risk, and to develop intervention plans. In this review, we will cover the use of ionizing radiation in MBSSs and review recent literature concerning radiation exposure and cancer risks to patients undergoing MBSSs. Lastly, we will discuss the clinical implications of these findings. Recent findings Recent literature confirms that the MBSS is a low-dose examination and that reducing pulse rate negatively impacts diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, cancer risks to adults undergoing MBSSs were also reported to be low. Summary An adult undergoing MBSS using a standardized, valid protocol, like the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP), has low-radiation exposure and very low associated cancer risks. MBSSs should be used whenever relevant to adult patient care without undue concern regarding radiation exposure. Children also have low radiation exposure from MBSSs; however, cancer risks from that exposure remain unknown. Best practices in radiation safety must always be followed. Reducing pulse rates in the adult or pediatric population to reduce radiation exposure is not a valid strategy because of the resulting reduction in diagnostic accuracy.
AB - Purpose of review The modified barium swallow study (MBSS) is an X-ray examination of swallowing used to detect the presence and type impairment, aspiration risk, and to develop intervention plans. In this review, we will cover the use of ionizing radiation in MBSSs and review recent literature concerning radiation exposure and cancer risks to patients undergoing MBSSs. Lastly, we will discuss the clinical implications of these findings. Recent findings Recent literature confirms that the MBSS is a low-dose examination and that reducing pulse rate negatively impacts diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, cancer risks to adults undergoing MBSSs were also reported to be low. Summary An adult undergoing MBSS using a standardized, valid protocol, like the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP), has low-radiation exposure and very low associated cancer risks. MBSSs should be used whenever relevant to adult patient care without undue concern regarding radiation exposure. Children also have low radiation exposure from MBSSs; however, cancer risks from that exposure remain unknown. Best practices in radiation safety must always be followed. Reducing pulse rates in the adult or pediatric population to reduce radiation exposure is not a valid strategy because of the resulting reduction in diagnostic accuracy.
KW - Deglutition
KW - Fluoroscopy
KW - Modified barium swallow study
KW - Radiation
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U2 - 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000665
DO - 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000665
M3 - Review article
C2 - 33027137
AN - SCOPUS:85094933103
SN - 1068-9508
VL - 28
SP - 371
EP - 375
JO - Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
JF - Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
IS - 6
ER -