title: An evaluation of gastric scintigraphy pre- and postpyloroduodenal peptic stenosis dilation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The usual treatment of pyloroduodenal peptic stenosis has been mainly surgical, through pyloroplasty or gastric resection, with or without vagotomy. Since the first description of treatment for this peptic complication by endoscopic balloon dilation perfomed by Benjamin in 1982 [2], this procedure has become a therapeutic option in association with the medical treatment of peptic disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results involving clinical, endoscopic, and gastric emptying scintigraphy parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 1998 and February 2000, 20 patients with pyloroduodenal stenosis refractory to conservative treatment were treated at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit of the University of São Paulo Medical School. All patients who presented clinical manifestations of pyloroduodenal stenosis underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to confirm peptic stenosis. Biopsy of the narrowing for the confirmation of a benign disease and gastric biopsy for Helicobacter pylori detection were performed. The treatment consisted of dilation of the stenosis with type TTS (Through The Scope) hydrostatic balloon under endoscopic control, treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastric acid suppression with oral administration of proton pump inhibitor. All patients, except one who was excluded from this study, were submitted to a clinical endoscopic assessment and gastric emptying evaluation by ingestion of (99m)Tc before and after the treatment. Endoscopic evaluation considered the diameter of the stenotic area before and after treatment. A scintigraphic study compared the time of gastric emptying before and after balloon dilation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients completed treatment by hydrostatic balloon dilation. Clinical symptoms such as bloating (p < 0.0001), epigastric pain (p = 0.0159), gastric stasis (p < 0.0001), and weight gain (p = 0.036) showed significant improvement. The diameter of the stenotic area increased significantly (p < 0.01) after the dilation treatment as well as a better gastric emptying of (99m)Tc (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dilation of the peptic pyloroduodenal stenosis using a hydrostatic balloon is a safe and effective procedure. The evaluation with gastric scintigraphy by ingestion of (99m)Tc is an effective method of assessment for the improvement of gastric function, because its results corresponded to the clinical improvement after endoscopic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. eartifon@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E L A
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Artifon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Hondo
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Lopasso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishioka
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gama-Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004380:Duodenal Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011707:Pyloric Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000592:standards; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013667:Technetium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D013667:Technetium