AJR ARRS Member Benefits
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Glick, S. N.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Glick, S. N.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 163, 65-67, Copyright © 1994 by American Roentgen Ray Society

ARTICLES

Barium studies in patients with Barrett's esophagus: importance of focal areas of esophageal deformity

SN Glick
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

OBJECTIVE. I report a subtle finding of columnar metaplasia of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) on barium examination that to my knowledge has not been described before. The finding is a focal mural deformity associated with fixed transverse folds and minimal limitation of distensibility of the esophagus at least 4 cm proximal to the esophagogastric junction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The abnormality was seen in four patients who had air-contrast upper gastrointestinal barium studies for evaluation of various gastrointestinal symptoms. Only one had symptoms referable to the esophagus. A diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus was suggested on the basis of the findings on barium studies and was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. RESULTS. Initial radiographs showed subtle contour defects in the esophageal wall at least 4 cm proximal to the esophagogastric junction in each patient. These appeared as focal indentations (two cases) or a gradual concavity (two cases) in the wall that could be mistaken for a normal extrinsic impression or normal variation. Radiographs obtained with increased distension or in different degrees of obliquity showed fixed transverse folds suggestive of submucosal fibrosis. Barrett's esophagus was observed at endoscopy, but no endoscopic findings correlated with the focal changes seen on radiographs. CONCLUSION. Identification of focal defects in the esophageal contour at least 4 cm proximal to the esophagogastric junction on barium studies raises the possibility of Barrett's esophagus. The diagnosis is further suggested if repeat radiographs obtained with increased distension and different degrees of obliquity show fixed transverse folds, limited distensibility of the esophageal wall, or both.
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1994 by the American Roentgen Ray Society.