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Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Dysphagia: Importance of History Taking and Physical Exam

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Manual of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques for Disorders of Deglutition

Abstract

Assessment of dysphagia may include instrumental or non-instrumental measures—frequently both. The clinical evaluation is a collection of, largely, non-instrumental measures, which may include a comprehensive history, a detailed oral motor and sensory physical exam, and trial swallows of liquids and foods. Each aspect of the clinical evaluation serves a unique purpose yet contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the swallowing problem. The findings from the clinical evaluation provide information about a patient’s functional feeding and swallowing behaviors and determine the need for therapeutic intervention and/or additional instrumental testing. Patients at risk for dysphagia, and thus in need of a clinical evaluation, can be determined from screening. This chapter will describe each aspect of the clinical evaluation and screening and provide the value of each.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, USA

    Gary H. McCullough PhD, MA, BA

  2. Department of Speech and Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Rosemary Martino MA, MSc, PhD

Authors
  1. Gary H. McCullough PhD, MA, BA
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  2. Rosemary Martino MA, MSc, PhD
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Correspondence to Rosemary Martino MA, MSc, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Div. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, West Wisconsin Avenue 9200, Milwaukee, 53226, Wisconsin, USA

    Reza Shaker

  2. , Dpt of Communication Sciences & Disorder, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, East Hartford Ave 2400, Milwaukee, 53201, Wisconsin, USA

    Caryn Easterling

  3. , Dpt Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surg., UC Davis Medical Center, Stockton Blvd. 2521, Sacramento, 95817, California, USA

    Peter C. Belafsky

  4. Ctr for Voice, Airway & Swallowing Disor, Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Health Sciences University, 15th Street 1120, Augusta, 30912, Georgia, USA

    Gregory N. Postma

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McCullough, G.H., Martino, R. (2013). Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Dysphagia: Importance of History Taking and Physical Exam. In: Shaker, R., Easterling, C., Belafsky, P., Postma, G. (eds) Manual of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques for Disorders of Deglutition. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3779-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3779-6_2

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