title: [Double-contrast esophagography in the diagnosis of esophagitis due to Candida. A study on HIV-seropositive patients].
abstract: This study was aimed at assessing the sensitivity of double-contrast esophagography in diagnosing Candida esophagitis. This condition accounts for 85% of all esophageal infections in the subjects suffering from AIDS. Thirty-nine HIV+ patients were evaluated: 19 of them had endoscopic diagnosis of Candida esophagitis. Our study confirmed the high sensitivity of esophagography (90%), as reported in the literature. Radiographic findings were edematous esophageal folds in the early stage and, subsequently, plaques and diffuse ulcerations. These patterns are suggestive of anatomical lesions: in the early stage, mucosal edema and erythema are observed, and later on pseudomembranes and ulcerations. None of our patients exhibited stenosis. All the subjects with Candida esophagitis had less than 250/mm3 of CD4 lymphocytes. In conclusion, double-contrast esophagography must be included in the periodic examinations performed on patients with AIDS, so as to allow an early diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale San Giovanni in Laterano, Roma.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diotallevi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montella
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Sora
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iacopini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simili
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide
vernacular_title: L'esofagografia a doppio contrasto nella diagnosi di esofagite da Candida. Studio su pazienti sieropositivi per HIV.