With our timely scheduled evaluations, we reduce the frustration of long wait times with hospital MBSS appointments. Additionally, with mobile MBSS, we eliminate the time and cost of transportation to the hospital. We come to you, at your facility or home! Patients are on our mobile clinic for approximately 30 minutes or less and then they may return to their day.
Adequate space on the mobile clinic allows for facility staff and family to observe the evaluation without risk of radiation exposure. Allowing familiar staff and loved ones to be present during the evaluation increases compliance and allows for the most complete evaluation.
What happens during a consultation with MassTex Imaging?
The Modified Barium Swallow Study portion of the exam consists of a video x-ray of a patient swallowing liquids and foods of various consistencies and textures mixed with barium. During this portion of the exam, the speech language pathologist is evaluating the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing.
The MBSS is followed by an assessment of liquid barium through the esophagus into the stomach by the physician. Our physician is evaluating for motility and anatomical concerns including dysmotility, reflux, strictures, hernias etc.
Our consultation assesses all the biomechanical parameters of the oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing. We evaluate effectiveness of diet modification and strategies to improve safety and efficiency of the swallow.
Our multi-disciplinary team approach provides a high level of medical decision making. Our physicians assess the whole patient including the effects of medication on swallow function and comorbidities that may affect development of aspiration pneumonia. Quality of life and ethical decision making is priority when developing diet texture, compensatory strategy, and treatment plan recommendations by our speech language pathologists.
When to ask for a consultation?
Breathing difficulty including shortness of breath and wheezing when eating
Complaint of difficulty swallowing
Coughing, choking at meals
Dehydration / malnutrition
Feeding difficulties
Feeling of fullness
Food / pills getting stuck
Gagging / vomiting
Esophageal reflux / heartburn
Holding food in the mouth / pocketing
Loss of appetite / significant weight loss / poor food intake
Moist cough / wet vocal quality
Pain when swallowing
Pneumonia
Refusal of particular foods or all foods
Neurological deficits correlated with suspected silent aspiration
