sodium-pertechnetate-tc-99m and Esophageal-Stenosis

In healthy persons the mean time of the passage of water through the esophagus was 3.75 +/- 0.12 s, that of 10% test meal 6.15 +/- 0.34 s. The average rates of the passage of water and test meals were 5.35 +/- 0.25 cm/s and 3.25 +/- 0.62 cm/s, respectively. In postburn cicatricial esophageal stenosis the time of the passage of water ranged within 5-9 s depending on a degree of stenosis, that of the test meal within 12-20 s, and the rates of their passage were 2-4 cm/s and 1-1.7 cm/s, respectively. While in some cases complete esophageal obstruction was shown by x-ray, scintigraphy revealed the presence of a lumen of the esophagus.

Topics: Adult; Burns, Chemical; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagus; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Tomography, Emission-Computed

Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy was performed in a patient with Barrett's esophagus and a history of previous lye ingestion. Radionuclide uptake was present in the distal two-thirds of the esophagus and persisted after the drinking of water. This technique is simple and accurate and may be of significant benefit in determining the presence and extent of Barrett's esophagus, which carries an increased incidence of adenocarcinoma development. Examination of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux, using this technique, is advocated.

Topics: Barrett Esophagus; Caustics; Child, Preschool; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagus; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Lye; Male; Radionuclide Imaging; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Technetium