Abstract
A radioisotope scintiscanning technique that can document pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents in patients with gastroesophageal reflux is described. Six patients with suspected nocturnal aspiration from reflux were studied. Three of the six had positive lung scans 8 hr after intragastric placement of 10 mCi of technetium 99m sulfur colloid. Overnight intraesophageal pH monitoring revealed prolonged episodes of GE reflux in those with positive scans. These preliminary observations suggest that this scintigraphic technique may be an effective method for documenting pulmonary symptoms as a consequence of gastroesophageal reflux.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chernow B, Castell DO: Asthma and gastroesophageal reflux. J Am Med Assoc 237:2379, 1977
Urschel HC, Paulson DL: Gastroesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia, complications and therapy. J Thor Cardiovasc Surg 23:21–32, 1967
Mays EE: Intrinsic asthmas in adults—association with gastroesophageal reflux. J Am Med Assoc 236:2626–2628, 1976
Winans CS, Harris LD: Quantitation of lower esophageal sphincter competence. Gastroenterology 52:773–778, 1967
Fisher RS, Malmud LS, Roberts GS, Lobis IF: Gastroesophageal scintiscanning to detect and quantitate GE reflux. Gastroenterology 70:301–308, 1976
Thurer RL, DeMeester TR, Johnson LF: The distal esophageal sphincter and its relationship to gastroesophageal reflux. J Surg Res 16:418–423, 1974
Pope CE: A dynamic test of sphincter strength: Its application to the lower esophageal sphincter. Gastroenterology 52:779–786, 1967
Johnson LF, DeMeester TR: Twenty-four hour pH monitoring of the distal esophagus, and quantitative measure of gastroesophageal reflux. Am J Gastroenterol 62:325–332, 1974
DeMeester TR, Johnson LF, Guy JJ, Toslano MS, Hall SW, Skinner DB: Patterns of gastroesophageal reflux in health and disease. Ann Surg 184:459–470, 1976
Johnson LF, DeMeester TR, Hagitt RC: Esophageal epithelial response to gastroesophageal reflux, a quantitative study. Am J Dig Dis 23:298–309, 1978
Reich SB, Early WE, Ravin TH, Goodman M, Spector S, Stein MR: Evaluation of gastro-pulmonary aspiration by a radioactive technique. Concise communication. J Nucl Med 18:1079–1081, 1977
Ippoliti A, McCallum R, Surdevant R: Gastric emptying in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Clin Res 24:535A, 1977
Huxley EF, Viroslav J, Gray WR, Pierce AK: Pharyngeal aspiration in normal adults and patients with depressed consciousness. Am J Med 64:564–568, 1978
Kilpatrick AM, Aseron CA: Radioisotope detection of Meckel's diverticulum causing acute rectal hemorrhage. N Engl J Med 287:653–654, 1972
Berquist TH, Nolan NG, Stephens DH, Carlson HC: Specificity of 99m Tc-pertechnetate in scintigraphic diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum: Review of 100 cases. J Nucl Med 17:465–469, 1976
Dennish GE, Castell DO: Inhibitory effect of smoking on the lower esophageal sphincter. N Engl J Med 284:1136–1137, 1971
Kantrowitz PA, Carson JG, Fleischli DG, Skinner DB: Measurement of gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroenterology 56:666–674, 1969
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by the Department of the Navy Clinical Investigation Program #5-06-530R.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chernow, B., Johnson, L.F., Janowitz, W.R. et al. Pulmonary aspiration as a consequence of gastroesophageal reflux. Digest Dis Sci 24, 839–844 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324899
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324899