Videofluoroscopy versus upper G.I. endoscopy: A comparative study as a diagnostic tool in patients presenting with dysphagia

Abstract

Background and Objective: Dysphagia is a major symptom in many of the patients coming to the hospital. There can be various causes of dysphagia and its accurate diagnosis shows the way for the necessary treatment. Videofluoroscopy and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy are the two most commonly employed primary investigating modalities in assessing dysphagia. The objective of the study was to compare videofluoroscopy and upper GI endoscopy and establish a primary diagnostic tool for assessment of dysphagia. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 20 patients presenting with dysphagia in a tertiary care hospital.They were evaluated both by videofluoroscopy and upper GI endoscopy. Patients were evaluated based on the accuracy of the findings obtained with both the tests and compared statistically. Results: Videofluoroscopy could successfully diagnose 83% of the cases with a positive cause of dysphagia whereas upper GI endoscopy could diagnose only 41% of the positive cases. Conclusion: This study shows that videofluoroscopy is an effective primary diagnostic tool for evaluating dysphagia.

Keywords

• Dysphagia
• upper GI endoscopy
• videofluoroscopy