Double Contrast Pharyngogram Using Computed Radiography

To evaluate swallowing function, we utilize double contrast pharyngography, since barium coating or remaining to the pharyngeal mucosa is always observed in patients with organic or functional dysphagia. Recently, we introduced Computed Radiography (CR) into the above pharyngography and investigated its value for detecting the patients with clinical or subclinical dysphagia. In comparison with the conventional images, CR images offered clearer contour of the hypopharynx in the lesser X-ray doses without giving false negative images. The double contrast pharyngogram using CR is concluded to be a more accurate and useful screening method for detecting clinical or subclinical dysphagia.