Patterns of Radioisotopic Esophageal Transit in Patients with Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux

Abstract

At present it is well recognized that lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the propulsive “pump action” of the body of the esophagus play a major role in the antireflux mechanism [4]; nonspecific motor disorders of the esophagus and a delay in clearance of refluxed material from the distal esophagus are often seen in patients with pathologic gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Radioisotopic esophageal transit (RET) has been used to evaluate esophageal function and it has been shown to be a sensitive screening test for both primary motor disorders of the esophagus and motility disorders secondary to reflux disease [2, 7]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transit patterns and esophageal emptying of a liquid bolus with a noninvasive technique in normal subjects and patients with symptoms suggesting GER and eventually correlate the results of RET with manometric, endoscopic, and 24-h pH monitoring findings.