title: Effect of sherbet timing on distension and evaluation of the esophagus with multidetector-row computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to analyze the effect of oral sherbet application on esophageal distension and esophageal evaluation with thoracic multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) regarding sherbet timing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total 120 patients (65 men, 55 women) with a mean age of 59.7 years who were given 4g sherbet powder to be swallowed 60, 30 or 10seconds before thoracic MDCT were included. Inner esophageal diameter was measured in three planes at three anatomic levels. Area of esophageal lumen and assessable length of the esophagus were calculated and statistically analyzed using repeated-measures-ANOVA and post-hoc-t-tests. Results were compared groupwise and intra-individually with previous examinations without sherbet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intra-individual comparison and subgroup-analysis showed that esophageal distension was significantly better when sherbet was used (mean inner area: 1.98±0.66cm(2) vs. 0.49±0.14cm(2)) (P<0.001). After preparation, in average 80.2% of the esophageal length were assessable compared to 39.2% without sherbet (P<0.001). Timing of sherbet administration within one minute before scan-start revealed no significant differences (P=0.9), yet a shorter delay to scan-start led to the best results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral sherbet administration within one minute before scan-start improves esophageal distension and evaluation using thoracic MDCT. This method of esophageal preparation is simple, can easily be applied in clinical routine and may improve the diagnosis of esophageal pathologies.
authors.affiliation: UKGM University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Baldingerstr. 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany. Electronic address: annikakeulers@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Keulers
authors.affiliation: UKGM University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Baldingerstr. 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hundt
authors.affiliation: UKGM University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Baldingerstr. 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mahnken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003611:Dairy Products; D003679:Deglutition; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011208:Powders; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011208:Powders
keywords: Computed tomography (CT); Esophagus; Gastrointestinal tract; Sherbet