Technique of examination of the esophagus.

The technique of examination of the esophagus is neither easy nor uniform. There are a number of abnormalities and specific clinical problems, such as the broad spectrum of motility disorders, congenital abnormalities, corpora aliena, the demonstration of subtle mucosal lesions and the demonstration of the different forms of hiatus hernia, these all require a different approach. First of all, attention is paid to the history: the nonspecific complaint 'having trouble swallowing' can often be specified further, which is important for the way in which the examination of the esophagus is to be conducted. After discussion the 'standard examination of the esophagus', the contrast media, the value of single contrast, double contrast, mucosal relief studies and pharmaca, some attention will be paid briefly to special examination techniques of some abnormalities.

Action and side effects of small doses of buscopan in gastroduodenal radiography. A prospective study in 300 patients.

A study of the action and side effects of buscopan in examination of the stomach and duodenum is reported. Buscopan in doses of 10 or 20 mg i.v. exerts an adequate spasmolytic effect and is a safe drug without troublesome side effects.

Hypopharyngeal and oesophageal outpouchings and dysmotility.

Some aspects of the extensive pathology of the hypopharynx and oesophagus are discussed: abnormal outpouchings of the lateral pharyngeal wall; correlation between dysfunction of the pharyngooesophageal junctions and Zenker's diverticulum; correlation between oesophageal dysmotility and the presence of a pulsion diverticulum and intramural diverticulosis. A discussion of the principal causes of oesophageal dysmotility is followed by a detailed account of two manifestations of dysmotility: diffuse oesophageal spasm and diffuse oesophageal hypertrophy.