title: Radiologic detection and spectrum of appearances of peptic esophageal strictures.
abstract: We compared radiology and endoscopy in 80 patients with peptic esophageal stricture, with special attention to radiographic sensitivity for stricture caliber. Each stricture was classified by length into three types: 1) short (6-25 mm in length); 2) annular (under 6 mm in length); and 3) long (over 25 mm in length). Overall, radiology detected 95% of all strictures, including 90% of those over 1 cm in caliber. Morphologically, 75% of all strictures were short; 14% annular, and 11% long. Radiographically, smooth-stricture margins reliably excluded active esophagitis, while irregularity correlated well with its presence. Properly performed, barium esophagram can accurately detect esophageal strictures with a sensitivity approximating that of endoscopy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography