We swallow 2,000 to 3,000 times each day. It's a life-sustaining and complex action requiring many muscles coordinated by the brain and brainstem.
If you are having problems swallowing, the experts at the UPMC Swallowing Disorders Center can help.
To make an appointment or learn more about our services, contact:
UPMC Swallowing Disorders Center
203 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-647-6461
Fax: 412-647-6460
Email the Swallowing Disorders Center. »
Learn what to expect at your first visit to the Swallowing Disorders Center.
The functional assessment of swallowing disorders includes one or more tests that allow doctors to view the mouth and throat during the process of swallowing.
This x-ray of swallowing finds problems that occur in the:
A modified barium swallow provides doctors with data:
FEES is a standard test using a flexible fiberoptic endoscope, a small tube with a tiny camera and light on the end of it, to view your throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx).
You may need this test if you:
During the FEES test, your doctor at the Swallowing Disorders Center will:
FEES allows doctors to clearly observe:
The entire test takes about five to six minutes.
We record the entire exam so your treatment team can view the results with you as often as needed and offer a plan of treatment.
An otolaryngologist and speech-language pathologist perform this study
FEEST uses a puff of air to test the protective reflexes of the voice box (larynx).
Manometry measures pressures from muscle force (strength) or bolus flow (food moving through the mouth and throat).
Manometry tests the strength of swallowing muscles or detects when swallowing muscles are too tight.
This is a combination of a modified barium swallow and manometry.
Doctors use a long thin fiberoptic endoscope with a camera on it to see the inside of the esophagus.
During TNE, doctors watch a video monitor to look for any problems with the esophagus.