Using radionuclide esophageal emptying test to evaluate pneumatic dilatation effects for achalasia.

摘要

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radionuclide esophageal emptying test using a solid meal is a simple, noninvasive, and physiologic test of esophageal function. METHODOLOGY: In this study, we evaluated esophageal emptying using an isotope-labeled solid meal (an egg salad sandwich labeled with 99mTc-MAA) in the assessment of pneumatic dilatation treatment in achalasia. Twenty achalasic patients (12 males, 8 females, age: 51.4 +/- 13.0 years) underwent esophageal emptying measurement before and after pneumatic dilatation. After treatment, the dysphagic symptoms of all patients improved. RESULTS: In comparison with the pretreatment test, the posttreatment retention fraction at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min were significantly lower (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that radionuclide esophageal emptying test using a solid meal remains a useful objective study of esophageal function and may have an important future role in the follow-up evaluation of treatment for achalasia.