Presentation
History of brain stem stroke.
Patient Data
Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
Lateral
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.
Frontal
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.