An instrumental evaluation is conducted when further information is needed to determine the nature of the swallowing disorder. Instrumental evaluations can also help to determine if swallow safety can be improved by modifying food/liquid consistencies, implementing swallow and/or behavioral strategies, and making postural changes.
Instrumental evaluations may include several team members such as a radiologist, radiology technician, and SLP.
There are two commonly used instrumental evaluations of swallowing:
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) DysphagiaView.com →
Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)
If you've had FEES or an MBSS completed please provide Crow Therapies with a copy of the report prior to the scheduled evaluation at Crow Therapies. This will allow the evaluating therapist to review the results of the instrumental evaluation prior to the clinical evaluation.
Note-MBSS reports typically consist of a physician and Speech-Language Pathologist report. We would like to review both reports, but have found the SLP report provides the most detailed information and is preferred by our therapists.