Dysphagia has been recognized as a variable that increases hospital length of stay and influences patient outcome. Additionally, in young children, it can seriously affect physical and intellectual development. Issues regarding the safety of swallowing relate to both airway protection and adequate nutritional intake. The likelihood of a dysphagic patient regaining the ability to return to oral intake is improved if the underlying variables resulting in the dysphagia are adequately diagnosed and if the patient is able to participate in a program of swallowing rehabilitation. Diagnosis of the pathophysiological or anatomical variations that result in swallowing dysfunction generally requires examination beyond that which can be performed with the clinical examination. The chosen method of assessment is dependent on the clinical questions that are asked. Clinical indicators of dysphagia, frequent etiologies for disordered deglutition, and various methods for assessment are discussed.
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