Solid-phase radionuclide esophageal transit in progressive systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
In most patients with progressive systemic sclerosis the esophagus is affected. Reflux symptoms are most frequent whilst dysphagia also occurs. The radionuclide esophageal transit study is a sensitive screening test for esophageal dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the esophageal motility of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis using a solid-phase radionuclide esophageal study.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and 30 normal volunteers were studied with solid-phase radionuclide esophageal study. Each subject was placed in a supine position above a gamma camera linked to a computer and was given a 4-mL bolus of solid gelatin containing 1 mCi of Tc-99m phytate. Data were acquired in the list mode.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine of the 32 patients (91%) had abnormal findings from the study.


CONCLUSIONS
The radionuclide esophageal transit study can be regarded as a useful tool for evaluating the esophageal function in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and in the follow-up of treatment.
Wang
Shyh-Jen
SJ
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Lan
Joang-Liang
JL
Chen
Der-Yuan
DY
Chen
Yi-Hsing
YH
Hsieh
Tsu-Yi
TY
Kao
Chia-Hung
CH
Lin
Wan-Yu
WY
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D015902:Gamma Cameras; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D005780:Gelatin; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010833:Phytic Acid; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C026177:technetium phytate; D010833:Phytic Acid; D005780:Gelatin