Fluoroscopy: Video Swallow A video swallow is a diagnostic study that uses barium to evaluate the swallowing mechanisms located in the back of the mouth and the throat. Barium is a contrast agent that appears dark on x-ray images. It does not get absorbed into the body. For this study, various different thicknesses of barium are drank and mixed with food to determine what types of foods and drinks patients can swallow. This study can also determine which types of food and drinks are difficult for the patient to swallow and have a danger of being aspirated (inhaled) into the lungs. A video swallow is performed in a specialized x-ray room with x-ray personnel and a speech therapist. A fluoroscope, an advanced x-ray machine capable of viewing the body during motion (much like a home video camera) will project images of the body on a television monitor that can be observed by the speech therapist during the procedure. When you arrive for your scheduled appointment, you will be escorted to the x-ray room, and asked to sit upright in a chair. The speech therapist will mix up the different samples of drinks and food for the procedure and also give you instructions during the exam such as when to swallow, how many times to swallow, and how to hold your head. The entire study is recorded and can later be played back to review or to clarify any questions. Once the exam is completed, the speech therapist can recommend to you which types of food and drink are safe for you to consume. The actual examination, eating and drinking the various types of food, will take approximately 15 minutes.