title: A comparative assessment of tube esophagography with double-contrast esophagography in the detection of reflux esophagitis.
abstract: We undertook a prospective study comparing the sensitivities of double-contrast and tube esophagography in 34 patients with gastroesophageal reflux and compared our findings with those at endoscopy. Neither test detected changes accurately in mild inflammation; however, they both became more sensitive as the severity of esophagitis increased. The sensitivity of both tests increased from 0% in grade 2 to 86% in grade 4 esophagitis. The tube esophagogram demonstrated inflammatory changes better than the double-contrast esophagogram in only 18% of the 34 patients, all with grade 3 or 4 esophagitis, despite the elimination of the barium pool in the distal esophagus and improved distension of the esophagogastric junction. Endoscopy is still the most reliable means of diagnosing and grading esophagitis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media