Scintigraphic assessment of Barrett's esophagus

Barrett's (B) esophagus is defined by the presence of columnar epithelium above the gastroesophageal junction. Patients with 5cm histologically proven B were evaluated for mucosal labeling (ML), esophageal motility (EM), gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and gastric emptying (GE) of solids and liquids with and without iv metaclopramide (MCP). ML, after premedication with cimetidine, was evaluated 20 and 40 min after injection of Tc-99m04 with ANT and RAO views. Eight of 11 B and 0 of 2 controls (C) labeled esophageal mucosa. EM was assessed in the supine position over one min after a 15 ml swallow Tc-99mSc-H2O. The normal pattern shows sequential, aboral, discreet peaks with no retrograde movement over one min in three computer derived regions over the esophagus. Five of 16 B and 1 of 6 C demonstrated abnormal pattern. GER was assessed in the supine position by serially increasing extrinsic binder pressures from 0 to 100 Torr after ingestion of 300 ml of Tc-99mSc-orange juice (OJ). GER was present in 13 of 15 B and 0 of 11 C. Reflux ranged from 5.1% to 30% at 100 Torr. Hiatal hernia (HH) was identified in 14 of 16 B by endoscopy and in 10 of 16 by scintigraphy. GE was evaluated after a liquid meal of 300 ml Tc-99mSc-OJ and a solid meal of Tc-99mSc-egg salad sandwich. The supine subject was imaged anteriorly for 30 min (liquid) or 60 min (solid). GE was assessed an additional 10 min after MCP. Clearance time (50%) for solid Ge was calculated from extrapolated linear fits of decay corrected data. There was no significant difference in liquid or solid GE between B and C. The authors conclude the following: 1) ML detects B with lower sensitivity than previously reported; 2) EM disorders are frequently found in B; 3) GER is frequently identified in B; 4) HH can be identified by nuclear technique; and 5) B shows normal GE and responds to MCP