This book places videofluoroscopy in the context of a broader, more holistic approach to the management of patients with dysphagia. It recognises that this is perhaps currently the best available tool to aid our understanding of the physiology of normal and abnormal swallowing function but in no way diminishes the contribution of other instrumental or clinical assessments of swallowing. Individual chapters have been written by experts in their specific field, and contain well referenced up to date information with a distinctly clinical focus.
The book is divided into two parts. Part I sets out the foundation for what every practitioner working within a videofluoroscopy clinic should have a grasp of. Different members of the team will need different levels of expertise for example, the SLT will need more expertise in the content of chapter 2 which discusses alternate investigations of swallowing whilst the radiographer will require more intimate knowledge of The effective use of imaging technology (chapter 8). There is also a very useful chapter on improving patient experience and minimising risk, an aspect not always comprehensively covered in other texts.
Part II allows the reader to dip into their specific area of clinical interest. It covers various clinical indications for dysphagia including stroke, neuromuscular conditions, paediatric videofluoroscopy, learning disabilities, dementia, head & neck cancers and structural causes of dysphagia. Each area describes the most common videofluoroscopic swallowing presentations with a good assortment of image illustrations as well as useful tips and special modifications to obtain the best images and clinical information during the fluoroscopy procedure. The final chapter provides useful comment on standardised reporting.
This edited book is a valuable resource for both new and well established clinicians, primarily speech & language therapists but equally a useful reference for any other health professional who may be regularly or intermittently involved with a videofluorocopy service. The book is not intended to teach a clinician how to interpret videofluoroscopy images and should not be used as such.
