Double-contrast Esophagography Research Articles

Flow artifacts in double-contrast esophagography.

Artifacts related to barium flow during double-contrast esophagography may obscure mucosal surface details. Double-contrast esophagograms with flow artifacts of 35 patients were evaluated to determine the effect on radiographic interpretation and to assess the method of examination. Initial radiographs obtained during swallowing of barium were compared with those obtained after a slight delay while patients repeatedly dry swallowed. When severe surface flow artifacts were present, the extent of mucosal disease was underestimated in all cases. Mild surface flow artifacts interfered with the demonstration of the reticular pattern of Barrett esophagus, and luminal flow artifacts caused misinterpretation. The demonstration of strictures was unaffected by flow artifacts. This study suggests that the dry swallowing maneuver and some delay improve depiction of esophageal surface details on double-contrast radiographs and obviate interpretive error from barium flow artifacts.

Fixed transverse folds in the esophagus: a sign of reflux esophagitis.

Scarring from reflux esophagitis is usually manifested by circumferential stricture formation. This article reports 17 cases in which double-contrast esophagography demonstrated fixed transverse folds in the esophagus, presumably secondary to longitudinal scarring from reflux esophagitis. In all cases, pooling of contrast material between the folds produced a series of horizontal, relatively parallel collections of barium in a "stepladder" arrangement. This appearance should be distinguished from linear ulcerations, tertiary esophageal contractions, and the delicate transverse striations that are occasionally observed as a transient phenomenon on the double-contrast examination.

The tube esophagram: a technique for obtaining a detailed double-contrast examination of the esophagus.

Although double-contrast esophagography is capable of delineating fine surface morphologic detail in the esophagus, it is not possible to obtain an optimal examination on all patients. Tube esophagography is a complementary technique that can provide a more detailed double-contrast examination of the esophagus. This procedure was performed on 45 patients in whom the routine double-contrast study was inconclusive. The tube esophagram contributed significantly to the radiologic evaluation in 33 cases, providing additional information in 23 and actually altering the final radiologic diagnosis in 10. The tube esophagram was particularly useful in depicting the distal esophagus when the initial double-contrast study was suboptimal due to inadequate distension and/or barium pooling that obscured mucosal detail in this region. The tube esophagram is a valuable adjunctive procedure that can lead to a more definitive radiologic diagnosis when the routine double-contrast examination is inconclusive.

The role of single and double-contrast radiography in the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis.

Sixty-seven patients with endoscopically proved esophagitis and 25 patients who had no esophageal disease were examined by double-contrast esophagography, followed by a single-contrast examination. The radiographs were evaluated separately and as a combined examination technique by three independent radiologists in a blind analysis. The respective sensitivities were 77% for the single-contrast examination, 80% for the double-contrast examination, and 88% for the combined examination method with no significant statistical difference (P = 0.05). The sensitivity increased for all methods with an increased severity of esophagitis. False positives more frequently occurred with double-contrast radiography, leading to similar accuracy rates for all methods (74% to 77%). The double-contrast examination technique showed an advantage over single-contrast radiography only if a granular pattern and erosions were the only radiographically detectible features of esophagitis. The use of the combined examination technique is recommended.

Double-contrast esophagography.

HomeRadiologyVol. 145, No. 1 PreviousNext Double-contrast esophagography.S W LeeS W LeeS W LeePublished Online:Oct 1 1982https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.145.1.7122878MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In Article HistoryPublished in print: 1982 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles RSNA Education Exhibits RSNA Case Collection Vol. 145, No. 1 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download

Radiologic evaluation of small esophageal carcinoma.

Eleven patients with small esophageal carcinomas are described. Double-contrast esophagography is essential in the detection of small esophageal tumors. In spite of the "early" detection, we did not find an improvement in survival in these patients.

Esophageal carcinoma: a survey of populations at risk.

Carcinoma of the esophagus is found more commonly in association with head and neck tumors, lye stricture, achalasia, and Barrett esophagus than in the general population. Our experience with these associated entities in a population of 680 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus is reviewed. Carcinoma of the esophagus has traditionally had a very poor prognosis which continues to the present. Routine periodic use of double contrast esophagography is advocated to screen populations containing these associated high-risk entities. This may ultimately increase survival through diagnosis of earlier stages of carcinoma of the esophagus.

Double-contrast examination of the esophagus.

A simple technique for double-contrast esophagography is described. The technique involves successive swallows of an excellent coating barium mixture and water to create the double contrast effect. Clinical and radiologic situations in which double contrast esophagography have proven helpful include: (a) the detection of small esophageal tumors; (b) delineation of the morphologic features of neoplastic and inflammatory disease; and (c) assessment of the total vertical extent of esophageal disease. Accurate and/or confident diagnosis is aided considerably with double-contrast esophagography.