Dynamic, diagnostic, and pharmacological radionuclide studies of the esophagus in achalasia.

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Abstract
The esophagus was evaluated in 15 patients with achalasia by continuous .gamma. camera imaging following ingestion of a semisolid meal labeled with 99mTc. The images were displayed and recorded on a simple computerized data processing/display system. Subsequent cine mode images of esophageal emptying demonstrated abnormalities of the body of the esophagus not reflected by the manometric examination. Computer-generated time-activity curves representing specific regions of interest were better than manometry in evaluating the results of myotomy, dilatation and drug therapy. Isosorbide dinitrate significantly improved esophageal emptying.