title: Dynamic, diagnostic, and pharmacological radionuclide studies of the esophagus in achalasia.
abstract: The esophagus was evaluated in 15 patients with achalasia by continuous gamma camera imaging following ingestion of a semi-solid meal labeled with 99mTc. The images were displayed and recorded on a simple computerized data processing/display system. Subsequent ciné 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.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009040:Motion Pictures; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013667:Technetium; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013667:Technetium; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m