- Patient preparation: NPO for 4 hours for younger patients who will only drink when hungry, otherwise NPO not required
- Contrast used: thin and nectar and honey and paste consistency barium and paste mixed with cracker consistency barium
- Technique: set video to high frame-rate mode, lateral image, center at uvula, magnify to fill screen, have patient swallow each different texture
- Images to obtain: scout chest, video of each barium consistency
- Looking for: airway penetration and aspiration and whether or not a spontaneous cough reflex is elicited with aspiration
- Post procedure tasks: advise patient to drink plenty of liquids to wash barium out of system and that barium will lighten color of stools
Pediatric Imaging 