Elevated Z line: a new sign of Barrett's esophagus on double-contrast barium esophagograms.
We describe an elevated Z line as a new radiographic sign of Barrett's esophagus characterized by a transversely oriented, zigzagging, barium-etched line extending completely across the circumference of the midesophagus. An elevated Z line is rarely seen in other patients, so this finding should be highly suggestive of Barrett's esophagus on double-contrast barium esophagograms. If the patient is a potential candidate for surveillance, endoscopy and biopsy should be performed to confirm the presence of Barrett's esophagus.
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Electronic address: marc.levine@uphs.upenn.edu.
Marc S
MS
Levine
Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Nuzhat A
NA
Ahmad
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Stephen E
SE
Rubesin
D001464:Barium; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
D001464:Barium
Barium esophagography; Barrett’s esophagus; Columnar-lined esophagus; Elevated Z line