First patients treated with state of the art videofluoroscopy equipment in Mayo University Hospital 

A new high specification videofluroscopy service has been introduced in Mayo University Hospital (MUH). Michael Browne from Ballina, Co Mayo was the first patient to be treated with the new state of the art diagnostic technology at the hospital.

The investment in this new equipment and software will improve patient outcomes at the hospital by providing high quality diagnostic imagery to guide the management and treatment of patients with swallowing difficulties.

The videofluoroscopy service is led by the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Department and is delivered in close collaboration with the Radiology Service at MUH.

Videofluoroscopy is a specialised x-ray that shows what happens when you eat and drink. It is a detailed examination of the swallow and is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the assessment of swallowing difficulties, which is known as dysphagia.

Karen Waardenburg Senior Speech and Language Therapist in MUH explains about this condition, “Dysphagia can occur for a variety of reasons. Typical causes include a range of neurological conditions like stroke, dementia, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s Disease). Dysphagia can also occur because of head and neck cancer, respiratory disorders, spinal injuries and idiopathic dysphagia with unknown cause. 

“The new technology in MUH will be used by the Speech and Language team to guide the management and treatment of patients with swallowing difficulties and means we can develop personalised strategies to help each patient to better manage their condition.”

Mairéad Lacken, Deputy Hospital Manager added; “I am delighted this important quality improvement initiative is now in place.  This new equipment and technology gives our Speech and Language Therapy Teams access to high quality, moving images and represents a significant enhancement to the facilities and services for SLT patients at Mayo University Hospital.”   

Photo caption:
From left: Karen Waardenburg, Senior Speech and Language Therapist; Ciara Burns, Radiographer; Michael Browne, patient and Patricia McHugh, Senior Speech and Language Therapist