Examination of the patient with dysphagia.

Difficulty in swallowing is not an uncommon symptom. Approximately 10,000 persons choke to death every year in the United States, and at least 50% of patients in nursing homes have some difficulty eating or drinking. Dysphagia will become an increasing problem as the population continues to age, as more intensive resuscitative measures are applied, and as more aggressive head and neck surgery is performed. The practicing radiologist should be familiar with the examination technique and interpretation of swallowing studies.