Correlation of manometric and radiographic diagnosis in esophageal motility disorders.
BACKGROUND
Radiography and manometry are complementary investigations in the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders. In most centers, however, manometry is not available and diagnosis is based on radiography alone.


OBJECTIVE
To correlate the findings on radiography in patients with esophageal motility disorders in whom a manometric diagnosis was available.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of esophageal manometry and barium contrast studies of 138 patients, done for suspected motility disorders, over a period of two years.


RESULTS
Manometry was abnormal in 111 (80.4%) cases [achalasia 87, scleroderma 6, non specific esophageal motility disorders (NEMD) 13, diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) 5]. Radiology was abnormal in 106 cases; the overall radiographic sensitivity was 73.9% (achalasia 87.4%, scleroderma 83.3%, NEMD 38.5%) and the positive predictive value was 75.5% (achalasia 95%, scleroderma 100%, NEMD 29.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiography has a high sensitivity and positive predictive value in esophageal motility disorders like achalasia and scleroderma but in DES and NEMD the two investigative modalities (radiography and manometry) do not correlate well.
Bhatia
S J
SJ
Department of Gastroenterology, KEM Hospital, Bombay.
Malkan
G H
GH
Ravi
P
P
Abraham
P
P
D000328:Adult; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity