The Lateral Projection

1. Set the digital or photospot camera for 4 frames per second.  
   
   
2. Begin the study with the patient in a lateral position. Aspiration of barium into the airway is much easier to detect in the lateral view than it is in the frontal projection. 
   
   
3. Have the patient take a mouthful of barium.
   
   
4. Focus fluoroscope on the hypopharynx.
   
   
5. Have patient swallow on the count of "three" and watch this first bolus of barium from the hypopharynx to the GE junction. Quickly rule out laryngeal penetration or tracheal aspiration by looking at the larynx and trachea. Also, exclude leakage into the mediastinum and esophageal obstruction. 
   
   
6. Again, have the patient take a mouthful of barium. Center the fluoroscope over the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. (Try to cover an area from the soft palate to the shoulders.) Verify that the patient is in a true lateral position. Have the patient swallow the barium on the count of "three". Begin filming at 4 frames/sec on the count of "two" and stop when you see on the monitor that the bolus has passed beyond your field of view. 
   
   
7. Take one lateral spot image while the patient distends the hypopharynx by phonating "EEEEEE".