During a VFSS, the patient is asked to swallow various substances, such as liquids, purees, and solid foods, mixed with a contrast material called barium. The barium makes the swallowed material visible on X-ray. The procedure is usually conducted in a radiology department and involves the collaboration of a radiologist and a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The patient is seated upright, and the X-ray machine captures real-time images of the swallowing process from different angles.
