Gastroesophageal scintigraphy and endoscopy in the diagnosis of esophageal reflux and esophagitis.
The value of gastroesophageal (G/E) scintigraphy in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux was assessed in 51 subjects, who presented with 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 (+/- SD) 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. It is concluded that the G/E reflux index based on G/E scintigraphy is of little value in the diagnosis of G/E reflux.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*