Using radionuclide esophageal emptying test to evaluate pneumatic dilatation effects for achalasia

Background/Aims: Radionuclide esophageal emptying test using a solid meal i s a simple, noninvasive, and physiologic test of esophageal function. Methodology: In this study, we evaluated esophageal emptying using an isoto pe-labeled solid meal (an egg salad sandwich labeled with Tc-99m-MAA) in th e assessment of pneumatic dilatation treatment in achalasia. Twenty achalas ic patients (12 males, 8 females, age: 51.4 +/- 13.0 years) underwent esoph ageal emptying measurement before and after pneumatic dilatation. After tre atment, the dysphagic symptoms of all patients improved. Results: In comparison with the pretreatment test, the posttreatment retent ion fraction at 1, 5, 10, and 15min were significantly lower (P <0.001). Conclusions: The results suggest that radionuclide esophageal emptying test using a solid meal remains a useful objective study of esophageal function and may have an important future role in the follow-up evaluation of treat ment for achalasia.