title: Initial experience with magnetic resonance fluoroscopy in the evaluation of oesophageal motility disorders. Comparison with manometry and barium fluoroscopy.
abstract: The aim of this paper was to assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance (MR) fluoroscopy in the study of oesophageal motility disorders and to compare MR fluoroscopy results with those of manometry and barium contrast radiography. Twenty-five subjects referred for dysphagia and three patients in follow-up after pneumatic dilatation of the lower oesophageal sphincter to treat severe achalasia underwent esophageal manometry, barium contrast radiography and MR fluoroscopy. Examinations were performed on a 1.5 T scanner. Dynamic turbo- fast low angle shot (turbo-FLASH) sequences acquired during oral contrast agent administration were used to perform MR fluoroscopy. MR fluoroscopy correctly diagnosed achalasia in nine patients, uncoordination of esophageal body motility in ten and scleroderma oesophagus in one. Diagnostic performance was satisfactory, with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 100% in the general depiction of motility alterations. Our work demonstrates that MR fluoroscopic examination in subject affected by oesophageal motility disorders is feasible and can properly depict motility and morphology alterations, achieving correct diagnosis in the majority of cases. Studies on larger populations are necessary to obtain statistically significant results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy. valeria.panebianco@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Panebianco
authors.forename: Fortunee Irene
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tomei
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paolantonio
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anzidei
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laghi
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Passariello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017609:Barium Compounds; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D017609:Barium Compounds; D003287:Contrast Media