The goals for today’s talk with by to understand the basic physiology of swallowing by using fluoroscopy as a guide. Fluoroscopy is consider an instrumental diagnostic tool in assessing swallowing safety and planning surgical intervention in the aerodigestive tract. Currently, fluoroscopy is interpreted by a frame by frame analysis of the study and in some high quality centers formal protocols are used to quantify physiologic deviations in the swallow.  

Bio: Dr. Shumon Dhar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery in the Division of Laryngology has expertise in the comprehensive management of voice, upper airway and swallowing disorders. Dr. Dhar is passionate about treating a variety of patients including professional voice users, patients with upper airway stenosis, and those suffering from early cancer of the vocal cords. Dr. Dhar has unique training in bronchoesophagology, which positions him to treat patients with profound swallowing, reflux and motility problems from a holistic perspective. He uses the latest in diagnostic modalities within a multidisciplinary care model. He also offers minimally invasive endoscopic options for the treatment of GERD and Barrett’s esophagus. Advanced interventions performed by Dr. Dhar include endoscopic and open treatment of cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction and Zenker’s diverticulum, complete pharyngoesophageal stenosis, vocal fold paralysis, and severe dysphagia in head and neck cancer survivors and patients with neuromuscular disease-related swallowing dysfunction.