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Barium swallow aspiration

Case contributed by M Sanal Kumar
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

History of brain stem stroke.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male

Barium swallow

Fluoroscopy

Barium swallow study done to rule out aspiration and assess swallowing.

Lateral image shows pooling of contrast in the pharynx with aspiration of the barium contrast into the airway.

Chest

x-ray

Chest AP film confirms aspiration which shows contrast inside the bronchial tree.

Study was immediately suspended.

Case Discussion

Barium aspiration is a rare complication of gastrointestinal studies. The severity depends on the amount of contrast aspirated in the respiratory tract.

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