Management of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Current status

The diagnostics and therapy of oropharyngeal dysphagia fall within the competence of ENT, phoniatrics and speech language pathology. Due to etiologic diversity, interdisciplinary management is necessary in many cases. After taking a thorough history, focused on swallowing, dynamic instrumental examination methods, i.e. videoendoscopic and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, allow an evaluation of the morphology and function of the act of swallowing. Videoendoscopic swallowing studies enable the ENT specialist/phoniatrician to decide on further diagnostic steps, to establish a therapy and to recommend the type of feeding (oral, non-oral). Therefore, in clinical routine, knowledge of the diagnostics and therapy of swallowing disorders is indispensable for the ENT specialist/phoniatrician. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2005.