title: Air column in esophagus and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During imaging of the normal esophagus, air is often detected. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the appearance of air bubbles on imaging and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional imaging study was conducted at Rasole Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran. A total of 44 patients underwent X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning; the presence of air in the esophagus and visible on CT imaging was scrutinized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the subjects was 59 and the male to female ratio was 0.83. We found a significant relationship between the presence of GERD symptoms, the size of air bubbles and esophageal dilation (ED) on the CT scan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Air bubbles in the esophagus may be seen frequently in CT scans, but their size and location can vary. The GERD symptoms can arise when a small diameter air column is present within the esophagus, especially in the middle and lower parts.
authors.affiliation: Department of pulmonary diseases, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Sattakhan street, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Alijavad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moosavi
authors.forename: Hanieh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raji
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teimoori
authors.forename: Shadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghourchian
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed