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Value of radionuclide oesophageal transit in studies of functional dysphagia

J. M. Llamas-Elvira M. Martinez-Parades R. Sopena-Monforte ^* V. Garrigues C. Cano-Terol ^* and T. Velasco-Lajo

Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cordoba University, Cordoba, Spain ^* Nuclear Medicine Department, "La Fe" Hospital, Valencia, Spain Digestive Medicine Department, "La Fe" Hospital, Valencia, Spain

Radionuclide oesophageal transit time was evaluated in 70 individuals, divided into three groups: normal individuals, patients with non-organic dysphagia and patients with primary oesophageal motility disorders treated with per-endoscopic forced pneumatic dilatation. In all of them the oesophageal transit time of a bolus of water with 18.5 MBq (500 µCi) of ⁹⁹Tc^m sulphur colloid was assessed, as was the percentage of residual activity of the bolus in the oesophagus. There was a significant difference in these parameters between the control group and the group with non-organic dysphagia, the diagnostic capacity of this test being 93% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 90% negative predictive value, which suggests its inclusion in diagnostic protocols of dysphagias. In patients with primary oesophageal motility disorders, a significant decrease in values of residual activity has been observed after treatment with per-endoscopic forced pneumatic dilatation.

Received for publication March 1, 1986.