Radionuclide transit studies in the detection of oesophageal dysmotility.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A scintigraphic method is described to measure the transit of fluid bolus through the esophagus. Transit times in 16 normal subjects ranged from 5-15 s and were highly reproducible. Prolonged transit times were observed in 16 of 19 patients with known esophageal motility disorders, and in these patients inspection of the time activity curves frequently permitted an adynamic esophagus to be distinguished from one showing excessive incoordinate contractions. The technique was then applied prospectively to 50 patients referred for esophageal motility studies and a comparison made between the esophageal transit measurements and the findings on conventional esophageal manometry. There was agreement between these tests in 42 (84%) of the 50 patients. Esophageal transit may be measured quickly and safely, without causing discomfort to the patient, and it appears to be at least as sensitive as manometry in the detection of esophageal motility disorders.