GASTROESOPHAGEAL SCINTIGRAPHY AND ENDOSCOPY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX AND ESOPHAGITIS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 80  (4) , 245-247
Abstract
The value of gastroesophageal (G/E) scintigraphy in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux was assessed in 51 subjects, who had heartburn and had endoscopic evidence of reflux esophagitis. G/E scintigraphy was done using 99mTc sulfur-colloid in acidified orange juice. The G/E reflux index was calculated according to previous reports. The mean G/E reflux index in 18 patients with severe esophagitis and 30 patients with moderate esophagitis were 1.6% (.+-. 1.5) and 3.2% (.+-. 5.0), respectively. The mean G/E reflux index in 14 control subjects was 2.4% (.+-. 1.1). There was no significant difference between the esophagitis and control groups. Furthermore, if 4% was taken as upper limit of normal, this will include almost all the esophagitis patients and controls. The G/E reflux index based on G/E scintigraphy is of little value in the diagnosis of G/E reflux.