A patient presents with difficulty swallowing liquids more than solids. Which is the most appropriate initial investigation?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking which medical investigation is the most appropriate to perform first for a patient who has difficulty swallowing liquids more than solids. This suggests a potential issue with the esophagus or swallowing mechanism, and the options provided are different diagnostic tests used in gastroenterology.
Answer
Barium esophagram
The most appropriate initial investigation for a patient with difficulty swallowing liquids more than solids is a barium esophagram (barium swallow).
Answer for screen readers
The most appropriate initial investigation for a patient with difficulty swallowing liquids more than solids is a barium esophagram (barium swallow).
More Information
A barium esophagram is often the initial test performed since it can help visualize the esophagus and identify any structural abnormalities or functional issues that could cause dysphagia.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking endoscopy should be the initial test, but a non-invasive barium study is usually preferred initially.
Sources
- Evaluating Dysphagia | AAFP - aafp.org
- PMC Article on Dysphagia - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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