An update on pharyngeal assessment by the modified barium swallow.

The modified barium swallow study (MBSS) is a diagnostic examination that visualizes the functional anatomy and physiology of the oral pharyngeal swallowing mechanism in real time. The MBSS, a videofluoroscopic imaging method, is indicated for patients with known or suspected oropharyngeal dysphagia and ideally involves the combined expertise of a radiologist and speech pathologist. The MBSS provides critical diagnostic insights that help in identifying and assessing the type and severity of physiological swallowing impairments, evaluating the safety of oral intake, testing the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions, and developing treatment plans. This manuscript aims to present an overview of MBSS standards from an interdisciplinary perspective, emphasizes key areas of best practices, and reviews the common morphologic abnormalities seen on MBSS exams.