title: Solid-phase radionuclide esophageal transit in progressive systemic sclerosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shyh-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Joang-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Der-Yuan
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Hsing
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tsu-Yi
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chia-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Wan-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C026177:technetium phytate; D010833:Phytic Acid; D005780:Gelatin