The investigation of swallowing function and the detection of aspiration has evolved over the past 10 years with the introduction of the fibreoptic endoscopic assessment. Practical reasons can limit the use of videofluoroscopy in some patients. A prospective study of 20 sets of videofluoroscopic and endoscopic assessments of swallowing function were compared. Endoscopic assessment was found to be a highly sensitive and specific method of determining swallowing safety. Reduced or absent laryngeal sensation at endoscopy correlates with silent aspiration and thus a high risk of aspiration pneumonia.