ASSESSMENT OF A TECHNIQUE FOR SCINTIGRAPHIC MONITORING OF PULMONARY ASPIRATION OF GASTRIC CONTENTS IN ASTHMATICS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (5) , 306-308
Abstract
Asthmatics (10) with gastroesophageal reflux had scintigraphic evaluation of gastropulmonary aspiration. MCi (5) of Tc99m S colloid diluted in 50 ml of isotonic saline were administered by nasogastric tube at bed time and the lungs were imaged the following morning. Imaging in 20 studies yielded no evidence of gastropulmonary aspiration. Scintigraphic evaluation was previously reported to demonsrate gastropulmonary aspiration in some patients with gastroesophageal reflux and pulmonary disease. The technique apparently may lack adequate sensitivity or gastropulmonary aspiration in asthmatics with gastroesophageal reflux. It occurs in only a small subgroup of these patients or at infrequent intervals and is difficult to detect.