title: Aspiration in the context of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary aspiration is a life-threatening complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the incidence of which has not been determined. Endoscopy-related aspiration has not been studied in procedures in which patients swallow a radiolabelled potential aspirate immediately before endoscopy and undergo nuclear scanning postprocedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot study was conducted in which 200 MBq of nonabsorbable technetium-99m phytate in 10 mL of water was administered orally to 50 patients who were about to undergo endoscopy. Gamma camera images were obtained to ensure that there had been no aspiration before endoscopy. After endoscopy, a repeat scan was performed. Fluid aspirated through the endoscope was also collected and analyzed for radioactivity using a hand-held radiation monitor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No evidence of pulmonary aspiration was found in any of the patients studied. The mean estimated percentage of the initially administered radioactivity aspirated through the endoscope was 2.66% (range 0% to 10.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present pilot study confirms earlier observations that clinically significant aspiration in the context of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is uncommon. The incidence of aspiration may, however, be different in acutely bleeding patients undergoing endoscopy. For logistic reasons, this group could not be studied.
authors: Gastroenterology Unit, The Canberra Hospital, The Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, Australia.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Thomson
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Tye-Din
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Tonga
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Scott
authors: C
authors: C
authors: McLaren
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pavli
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lomas
mesh_terms: D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010833:Phytic Acid; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C026177:technetium phytate; D010833:Phytic Acid