Pharyngeal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

This article discusses the extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, focusing primarily on the gamut of pharyngeal abnormalities that can be detected on barium swallows. Abnormalities of pharyngeal swallowing caused by gastroesophageal reflux are illustrated. We particularly emphasize how pharyngoesophageal relationships can guide the radiologist for performing tailored barium swallows to optimally evaluate pharyngeal abnormalities in patients with underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Hyperirritable stomach as a cause of obstructive symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy: clinical and radiographic findings.

PURPOSE: To characterize clinical and radiographic features of a hyperirritable stomach after sleeve gastrectomy. MATERIALS/METHODS: Radiology reports revealed that 10/76 patients (13%) with obstructive symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy had a hyperirritable stomach. RESULTS: All 10 patients presented with nausea, vomiting, and/or regurgitation. All 10 had emesis on barium studies in the absence of gastric outlet obstruction, gastroparesis, or small bowel obstruction/ileus. Five had extraintestinal causes of nausea/vomiting. Eight had improvement/resolution of symptoms on medical treatment. CONCLUSION: In 13% of patients with nausea/vomiting after sleeve gastrectomy, barium studies revealed a hyperirritable stomach, which likely is multifactorial and self-limited in most patients.

Stenosis of gastric sleeve after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: clinical, radiographic and endoscopic findings.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic findings of sleeve stenosis after sleeve gastrectomy and to correlate treatment with outcomes. METHODS: We identified 43 patients who underwent barium studies to evaluate upper GI symptoms after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic findings were reviewed and correlated with treatment and outcomes. RESULTS: 26 patients (60%) had sleeve stenoses. All stenoses appeared as short segments of smooth, tapered narrowing, with a mean length of 8.0 mm and mean width of 7.5 mm, and 24 (92%) were located in the proximal or distal third of the sleeve. 23 patients (88%) had upstream dilation, and 1 (4%) had retained food proximal to the stenosis. 23 (70%) of 33 patients with obstructive symptoms and 3 (30%) of 10 without obstructive symptoms had sleeve stenoses. Endoscopy revealed sleeve stenosis in 8 (67%) of 12 patients with radiographic stenosis. Endoscopic dilation resulted in improvement/resolution of symptoms in seven (88%) of 8 patients. CONCLUSION: Sleeve stenosis after sleeve gastrectomy was characterized radiographically by a short segment of smooth, tapered narrowing, typically in the proximal or distal third of the sleeve. Approximately, 70% of patients with obstructive symptoms and 30% with non-obstructive symptoms had sleeve stenosis. One-third of radiographically diagnosed stenoses were not seen at endoscopy. The barium study, therefore, is a useful test for sleeve stenosis in patients with obstructive or nonobstructive symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy. Advances in knowledge: This article describes the appearance and location of sleeve stenoses after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and the clinical presentation and treatment options for these patients.

Diseases of the esophagus: a pattern approach.

The esophagus may be involved by a variety of morphologic abnormalities, including nodules and plaques, ulceration, distal esophageal strictures and rings, upper or midesophageal strictures, and diffuse narrowing (also known as a small-caliber esophagus). The use of a pattern approach for evaluating esophageal disease on barium studies facilitates diagnosis of a host of pathologic conditions associated with these morphologic abnormalities. This article therefore presents an approach for diagnosing esophageal disease on barium studies that emphasizes the radiographic and clinical features used to differentiate the underlying causes of disease and the diagnostic pitfalls associated with performing and interpreting these studies.

History and Evolution of the Barium Swallow for Evaluation of the Pharynx and Esophagus.

This article reviews the history of the barium swallow from its early role in radiology to its current status as an important diagnostic test in modern radiology practice. Though a variety of diagnostic procedures can be performed to evaluate patients with dysphagia or other pharyngeal or esophageal symptoms, the barium study has evolved into a readily available, non-invasive, and cost-effective technique that can facilitate the selection of additional diagnostic tests and guide decisions about medical, endoscopic, or surgical management. This article focuses on the evolution of fluoroscopic equipment, radiography, and contrast media for evaluating the pharynx and esophagus, the importance of understanding pharyngoesophageal relationships, and major advances that have occurred in the radiologic diagnosis of select esophageal diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, infectious esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal carcinoma, and esophageal motility disorders.

Esophageal Lichen Planus: Clinical and Radiographic Findings in Eight Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to present the clinical and radiographic findings of esophageal lichen planus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of computerized medical records identified 15 patients with pathologic findings of esophageal lichen planus on endoscopic biopsy specimens. Three other patients had presumed esophageal lichen planus, although no biopsy specimens were obtained. Twelve of these 18 patients (67%) had double-contrast esophagography performed at our institution; for eight of the 12 patients (67%), the studies revealed abnormalities in the esophagus. These eight patients constituted our study group. The barium esophagrams and medical records of these eight patients were reviewed to determine the clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic findings of esophageal lichen planus as well as the treatment and patient outcome. RESULTS: All eight patients were women (median age, 66.5 years), and all eight presented with dysphagia (mean duration, 3.2 years). Four patients had previous lichen planus that involved the skin (n = 1), the oral cavity (n = 2), or both (n = 1), and one patient later had lichen planus that involved the vagina. Five patients had a small-caliber esophagus with diffuse esophageal narrowing. The remaining three patients had segmental strictures in the cervical (n = 1), upper thoracic (n = 1), and distal thoracic (n = 1) esophagus. CONCLUSION: Esophageal lichen planus typically occurs in older women with longstanding dysphagia and often develops in the absence of extraesophageal disease. Barium esophagrams may reveal a small-caliber esophagus or, less commonly, segmental esophageal strictures. Greater awareness of the radiographic findings of esophageal lichen planus hopefully will lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of this condition.

Findings of Esophagography for 25 Patients After Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Achalasia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to better characterize the findings of esophagography after peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients who underwent peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia. The findings noted on pre- and postprocedural esophagrams were reviewed retrospectively and were correlated with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: None of the patients had esophageal perforation noted on esophagrams obtained after myotomy, and all but two patients had a hospital stay that lasted 1 day only. Esophagrams obtained on postoperative day 1 revealed endoscopic clips in 25 patients (100%), pneumoperitoneum in 18 (72%), retroperitoneal gas in 10 (40%), gastric pneumatosis in nine (36%), intramural dissections in seven (28%), and pneumomediastinum in four (16%). Repeat esophagrams obtained 3 weeks later for 22 of the patients revealed endoscopic clips in 16 patients (73%) and intramural dissections in five patients (23%), but the remaining findings had resolved. Eighteen patients (72%) had a successful myotomy and seven (28%) had suboptimal results on the basis of clinical outcomes. Observation of a distal esophageal width of 5 mm or less on postprocedural esophagrams was often associated with suboptimal results. CONCLUSION: Peroral endoscopic myotomy is a novel procedure that is less invasive than is laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of achalasia, with fewer complications and shorter recovery times. Radiologists should be aware of the findings expected on esophagography (including pneumoperitoneum, retroperitoneal gas, gastric pneumatosis, intramural dissections, and pneumomediastinum) and should also know that fluoroscopic studies may be helpful for predicting patient outcomes on the basis of the width of the distal esophagus after myotomy.

Consensus Statement of Society of Abdominal Radiology Disease-Focused Panel on Barium Esophagography in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The Society of Abdominal Radiology established a panel to prepare a consensus statement on the role of barium esophagography in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as recommended techniques for performing the fluoroscopic examination and the gamut of findings associated with this condition. CONCLUSION: Because it is an inexpensive, noninvasive, and widely available study that requires no sedation, barium esophagography may be performed as the initial test for GERD or in conjunction with other tests such as endoscopy.

Elevated Z line: a new sign of Barrett's esophagus on double-contrast barium esophagograms.

We describe an elevated Z line as a new radiographic sign of Barrett's esophagus characterized by a transversely oriented, zigzagging, barium-etched line extending completely across the circumference of the midesophagus. An elevated Z line is rarely seen in other patients, so this finding should be highly suggestive of Barrett's esophagus on double-contrast barium esophagograms. If the patient is a potential candidate for surveillance, endoscopy and biopsy should be performed to confirm the presence of Barrett's esophagus.

Bevacizumab-induced perforation of the gastrointestinal tract: clinical and radiographic findings in 11 patients.

AIM: To present the gastrointestinal (GI) complications associated with bevacizumab therapy and their findings on abdominal imaging studies. METHODS: A computerized search identified 11 patients with GI complications of bevacizumab therapy on abdominal CT (n = 11) and fluoroscopic GI contrast studies (n = 4) who met our study criteria (including five patients with ovarian cancer, five with colon cancer, and one with cervical cancer). The medical records and imaging studies were reviewed to determine the clinical and radiographic findings in these patients. RESULTS: All 11 patients had findings of GI perforation on CT, or CT and GI contrast studies. CT revealed a localized extraluminal collection containing gas, fluid, and/or contrast material in eight patients (73%) with focal perforation, and free abdominal air and fluid in three (27%) with free perforation The imaging studies also revealed seven fistulas, including two colovaginal, one rectovaginal, one enterocutaneous, one colocutaneous, one gastrocolic, and one colorectal fistula. Eight (73%) of the 11 patients died within 1 year of the development of GI perforation, and the perforation was felt to be the cause of death in four patients (36%). CONCLUSION: Abdominal CT and fluoroscopic GI contrast studies are useful imaging tests for the diagnosis of potentially life-threatening GI perforation as a complication of bevacizumab therapy. When GI perforation is detected on abdominal imaging studies, treatment with bevacizumab should immediately be discontinued.

Comparison between esophagography and chest computed tomography for evaluation of leaks after esophagectomy and gastric pull-through.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of esophagography and chest computed tomography (CT) for detecting leaks after esophagectomy and gastric pull-through. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our database revealed 29 patients who had undergone esophagography and chest CT after esophagectomy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for postoperative leaks were determined for esophagography and CT, separately and combined, on the basis of a retrospective image review. Patients were also stratified for esophagograms with water-soluble contrast alone versus water-soluble contrast and high-density barium and for CT with and without oral contrast. Our findings were retrospectively compared with those reported at initial image interpretation. RESULTS: Clinically relevant leaks were present in 14 (48%) of 29 patients after esophagectomy. Esophagography had a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 73%, PPV of 73%, and NPV of 79% for detecting leaks, whereas CT had a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 33%, PPV of 55%, and NPV of 71% and esophagography and CT combined had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 27%, PPV of 56%, and NPV of 100%. The sensitivity of esophagography increased with high-density barium, whereas the sensitivity of CT was the same with and without oral contrast agent. Finally, esophagography and CT were seen to have a higher sensitivity and lower specificity on retrospective review compared with the results reported at initial image interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: Esophagography had a slightly lower sensitivity and substantially higher specificity compared with CT for detecting leaks after esophagectomy, whereas esophagography and CT combined had a sensitivity of 100% for detecting leaks. Therefore, postoperative leaks can be excluded with confidence after esophagectomy when both tests are negative.

Comparison of small bowel follow through and abdominal CT for detecting recurrent Crohn's disease in neoterminal ileum.

PURPOSE: To assess the findings of recurrent Crohn's disease in the neoterminal ileum on small bowel follow through (SBFT) and computed tomography (CT) as well as the overall diagnostic performance of these imaging tests. METHODS: Our radiology database yielded 52 patients with an ileocolic anastomosis for Crohn's disease who underwent SBFT and CT. The images were reviewed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for individual findings of recurrent Crohn's disease in the neoterminal ileum. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of these tests for recurrent Crohn's disease were determined by comparing imaging reports to endoscopic and surgical findings in 45 patients (87%) and clinical response to treatment in seven (13%). RESULTS: SBFT had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 85%, PPV of 95%, and NPV of 73% for detecting recurrent Crohn's disease, and CT had a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 69%, PPV of 88%, and NPV of 50%. These tests combined had a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 69%, PPV of 90%, and NPV of 82%. The most common findings were luminal narrowing, thickened folds, and ulcers (especially aphthoid lesions) on SBFT and bowel wall thickening on CT. CT also revealed extraenteric collections not visualized on SBFT in three patients (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that SBFT is more sensitive and specific than CT for detecting recurrent Crohn's disease in the neoterminal ileum, mainly because of the ability of barium studies to depict aphthoid lesions not visualized on CT. Conversely, CT is better for detecting extraenteric findings such as abscesses. When combined, these tests have a higher sensitivity for detecting recurrent Crohn's disease than either test alone.

The small-caliber esophagus: radiographic sign of idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a small-caliber esophagus at barium esophagography with idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis (IEE) and determine if there is a useful threshold diameter for suggesting this diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived informed consent. This study was HIPAA compliant. A search of the radiology database (by using the search term small-caliber esophagus) revealed 10 patients with a small-caliber esophagus at barium esophagography who had IEE (defined as more than 20 eosinophils per high-power field in endoscopic biopsy specimens). Images were reviewed to characterize findings and determine the length of narrowing. Luminal diameters were measured at three levels for nine patients and nine control subjects, and mean diameter, range, and standard deviation were determined at each level. An analysis of variance test was performed to determine whether the difference between the range of mean thoracic esophageal diameters in patients with IEE versus that in control subjects was significant. RESULTS: All 10 patients had long-segment but variable-length narrowing of the thoracic esophagus (mean length, 15.4 cm) with tapered margins. The mean diameter at the aortic arch, carina, and one vertebral body above the gastroesophageal junction was 13.9, 14.3, and 15.1 mm, respectively, for patients with small-caliber esophagus versus 20.2, 30.3, and 28.7 mm for control subjects. The mean overall diameter was 14.7 mm for patients with small-caliber esophagus versus 26.3 mm for control subjects. In the nine patients in whom the luminal diameter was measured, the mean thoracic esophageal diameter was 20 mm or less; all nine control subjects had a mean thoracic esophageal diameter greater than 20 mm. The difference in the range of mean thoracic esophageal diameters between these two groups was highly significant (P < .0001), so 20 mm was a useful threshold diameter for suggesting this diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The small-caliber esophagus of IEE is characterized at barium esophagography by long-segment but variable-length narrowing of the thoracic esophagus, with a mean length of 15.4 cm, a diameter of 20 mm or less, smooth contours, and tapered margins.

Feline esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to reassess the relation between a feline esophagus (transient transverse esophageal folds) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and to determine whether a feline esophagus is observed more often during swallowing or during reflux of barium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized search of double-contrast esophagrams was performed to generate four equal groups of 56 patients with marked, moderate, mild, and no GER. The imaging findings were reviewed to determine the frequency of a feline esophagus in these groups and whether this sign was detected during swallowing or reflux of barium. The presence of a feline esophagus also was correlated with the presence of a hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, a peptic stricture, and esophageal dysmotility. RESULTS: A feline esophagus was detected in 20 of 224 patients (9%). It was detected during reflux of barium in 17 patients (85%), swallowing of barium in two patients (10%), and both in one patient (5%). GER was present in all 20 patients with a feline esophagus and in 148 of the 204 patients (73%) without a feline esophagus (p = 0.0068). A significant relation also was found between a feline esophagus and the presence of a hiatal hernia (p = 0.0116) but not between a feline esophagus and the presence of reflux esophagitis, a peptic stricture, or esophageal dysmotility. CONCLUSION: All patients with a feline esophagus at barium esophagography had associated GER. These transverse folds were observed mainly during reflux of barium from the stomach rather than during swallowing of barium. When a feline esophagus is detected during barium studies, the patient is extremely likely to have GER whether or not GER is seen at fluoroscopy.

Utility of routine barium studies after adjustments of laparoscopically inserted gastric bands.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to assess the utility of barium studies after adjustments of laparoscopically inserted gastric bands and to identify a threshold stomal diameter for predicting which bands should be loosened because of excessive tightening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 246 patients with laparoscopically inserted adjustable gastric bands underwent 668 routine band adjustments and barium studies after each adjustment. Forty-one barium studies of 30 patients with tight bands necessitating readjustment were compared with barium studies of 41 patients acting as controls. Barium studies of nine patients with obstructive symptoms before adjustment were reviewed to correlate stomal diameter with symptoms. The data were analyzed for a threshold stomal diameter below which obstructive symptoms were likely to develop. RESULTS: Mean stomal diameters were 2.9 mm for the group with tight bands after routine adjustment, 9.5 mm for the control group, and 5.1 mm for the group with obstructive symptoms. Thirty-nine of the 41 studies of tight bands after routine adjustment showed stomal diameters less than 6 mm. Seven of nine patients with obstructive symptoms and none of the 41 control patients had stomal diameters measuring less than 6 mm. Conversely, 40 of 41 control patients and two of nine patients with obstructive symptoms had stomal diameters greater than 6 mm. In none of the 41 cases in which the band was tight after routine adjustment was the stomal diameter greater than 6 mm. Thus, 6 mm was the threshold stomal diameter below which bands should be loosened. CONCLUSION: A stomal diameter of less than 6 mm after routine adjustment of a laparoscopically inserted gastric band can cause obstructive symptoms, so the band should be loosened in these patients. In contrast, a stomal diameter greater than 7 mm is unlikely to cause obstructive symptoms, so band loosening usually is not required.

Energy absorption is reduced with oleic acid supplements in human short bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Oleic acid premeal supplements have been described as a method to trigger the ileal brake and thus lengthen transit time and the opportunity for nutrient absorption. The aims of this study were to determine whether oleic acid supplements would lengthen transit time and improve absorption of nutrients in study participants with short bowel syndrome as well as affect diarrhea or patient weight. METHODS: A double-blind, controlled, random-order crossover trial was conducted in 8 study participants with longstanding and severe short bowel syndrome, employing blue food color appearance, breath hydrogen testing, and radio-opaque markers as measures of transit time. Absorption of energy, protein, fat, and fluid was conducted by classic nutrient balance methods. Diarrhea was estimated by daily stool weight and number of bowel actions. Although 8 patients were enrolled, only 7 completed the study. RESULTS: Transit time was not significantly different between oleic acid and placebo treatment, although peptide YY levels trended higher with the oleic acid treatment. Energy absorption was reduced 14% by oleic acid, significantly more than the 3% reduction by placebo. Fat, protein, and fluid absorption was not changed significantly. Neither diarrhea nor patient body weight was changed by oleic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Energy absorption is reduced by oleic acid supplements in severe short bowel syndrome. The study may have lacked power to determine whether oleic acid affects diarrhea or body weight.

Pattern approach for diseases of mesenteric small bowel on barium studies.

Despite an array of sophisticated imaging techniques, the barium examination remains a valuable diagnostic test for evaluating structural abnormalities of the small bowel. Most patients can be examined with conventional small-bowel follow-through studies, in which periodic imaging of the entire small bowel is performed by using fluoroscopic guidance; however, some patients may benefit from enteroclysis, in which contrast agents are instilled into the small bowel via a catheter placed in the proximal jejunum for optimal distention and better depiction of individual small-bowel loops. This review for residents discusses the major diseases involving the mesenteric small bowel and presents a pattern approach for the wide spectrum of abnormalities found on barium studies, including polypoid lesions, cavitated lesions, annular lesions, outpouchings, separation of loops, abnormal folds, nodules without abnormal folds, and dilated small bowel.

Chronic diverticulitis: clinical, radiographic, and pathologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to present a series of 14 patients with chronic diverticulitis on barium enema examinations and to correlate the radiographic findings with the clinical and pathologic findings in these patients. CONCLUSION: Chronic diverticulitis is a distinct pathologic entity characterized by the frequent development of chronic obstructive symptoms and abdominal pain rather than the classic clinical findings of acute sigmoid diverticulitis. Barium enema examinations usually reveal a relatively long segment of circumferential narrowing in the sigmoid colon with a spiculated contour and tapered margins, sometimes associated with retrograde obstruction. Our experience suggests that chronic diverticulitis can often be diagnosed on the basis of the characteristic clinical and radiographic findings in these patients.

Hyperirritable stomach as a cause of nausea and vomiting: clinical and radiographic findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to characterize the clinical and radiographic features of the hyperirritable stomach and to determine if it is associated with extraintestinal causes of nausea and vomiting in the absence of gastric outlet obstruction, gastroparesis, or intestinal obstruction or ileus. CONCLUSION: The hyperirritable stomach was characterized on barium studies in 15 patients by rapid emesis of ingested barium, a collapsed stomach with little or no retained debris or fluid, and normal emptying of residual barium into nondilated duodenum and proximal jejunum. Fourteen (93%) of these 15 patients had extraintestinal causes of nausea and vomiting, and 13 (93%) of 14 with clinical follow-up had marked improvement or resolution of symptoms after treatment. Radiologists therefore should evaluate the stomach and duodenum even after rapid emesis of ingested barium in patients with nausea and vomiting to differentiate a hyperirritable stomach from mechanical or functional gastrointestinal obstruction.