technetium-tc-99m-sulfur-colloid and Barrett-Esophagus

The principal radionuclide procedures involved in the evaluation of esophageal disorders that are amenable to surgery are illustrated and briefly described. The role of the radionuclide esophagogram (RE) in the diagnosis and management of achalasia, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy and its complications, tracheoesophageal fistulae, pharyngeal and esophageal diverticulae, gastric transposition, and fundoplication is discussed. Detection of columnar-lined esophagus by Tc-99m pertechnetate imaging and of esophageal carcinoma by Ga-67 citrate and Tc-99m glucoheptonate studies also is presented.

Topics: Barrett Esophagus; Deglutition Disorders; Diverticulum, Esophageal; Esophageal Achalasia; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagus; Gallium Radioisotopes; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Muscular Dystrophies; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Rhenium; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Stomach; Sugar Acids; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Evidence is increasingly convincing that lung transplantation is a risk factor of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, it is still not known if the type of lung transplant (unilateral, bilateral, or retransplant) plays a role in the pathogenesis of GERD.. The records of 61 lung transplant patients who underwent esophageal function tests between September 2008 and May 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were divided into 3 groups based on the type of lung transplant they received: unilateral (n=25); bilateral (n=30), and retransplant (n=6). Among these groups we compared: (1) the demographic characteristics (eg, sex, age, race, and body mass index); (2) the presence of Barrett esophagus, delayed gastric emptying, and hiatal hernia; and (3) the esophageal manometric and pH-metric profile.. Distal and proximal reflux were more prevalent in patients with bilateral transplant or retransplant and less prevalent in patients after unilateral transplant, regardless of the cause of their lung disease. The prevalence of hiatal hernia, Barrett esophagus, and the manometric profile were similar in all groups of patients.. Although our data show a discrepancy in prevalence of GERD in patients with different types of lung transplantation, we cannot determine the exact cause for these findings from this study. We speculate that the extent of dissection during the transplant places the patients at risk for GERD. On the basis of the results of this study, a higher level of suspicion of GERD should be held in patients after bilateral or retransplantation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Barium Sulfate; Barrett Esophagus; Contrast Media; Female; Gastric Emptying; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Hernia, Hiatal; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lung Transplantation; Male; Manometry; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Ambulatory; Radiography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Reoperation; Retrospective Studies; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

Because of surveillance strategies in patients with known Barrett's esophagus, more patients with high-grade dysplasia or early cancer in the distal esophagus and at the esophagogastric junction are identified. The need for and extent of lymphadenectomy in such patients are controversial. The technique of sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) to diagnose early lymphatic spread is applied increasingly in tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The poorly defined lymphatic drainage of the esophagogastric junction has so far prevented many investigators from performing SLND in tumors of this anatomic region. We report the first results of SLND in Barrett's and cardia cancer. The preliminary experience indicates that the method is, even in this anatomical area, feasible and yields good results in early tumors. In advanced tumors, the method lacks sensitivity. Mapping should be done with blue dye and a radiocolloid. The concept of sentinel lymph node mapping and detection thus may open the door to individualized therapy for patients with high-grade dysplasia in a Barrett's esophagus or with early Barrett's and cardia cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Algorithms; Barrett Esophagus; Cardia; Coloring Agents; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagectomy; Esophagogastric Junction; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Rosaniline Dyes; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Stomach Neoplasms; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

The authors present their experience with the radionuclide esophagogram. Cases illustrating achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, reflux esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux, Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernias, pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, and malignant tumors of the esophagus are included. The radionuclide esophagogram proved to be a useful procedure in the diagnosis and follow-up of many esophageal diseases.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Barrett Esophagus; Deglutition Disorders; Diverticulum, Esophageal; Esophageal Achalasia; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagitis, Peptic; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Hernia, Hiatal; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Radionuclide Imaging; Reference Values; Spasm; Stomach Neoplasms; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid