Continuous imaging of esophagogastric junction in patients with reflux esophagitis using 320‐row area detector CT: A feasibility study. Issue 10 (23rd September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fukazawa, Kousuke; Furuta, Kenji; Adachi, Kyoichi; Shimura, Shino; Kamiyama, Kazutoshi; Aimi, Masahito; Ohara, Shunji; Kajitani, Takafumi; Tsurusaki, Masakatsu; Kitagaki, Hajime; Kinoshita, Yoshikazu
• Is Part Of: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology. Volume 28:Issue 10(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1600
• Page End: 1607
• Publication Date: 2013-09-23
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12267
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0815-9319

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jgh12267-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aim</title> <p>The function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is evaluated using an esophageal manometric study. However, information regarding the surrounding organs is difficult to obtain with use of a sensor catheter. We investigated the utility of 320‐row area detector computed tomography (CT) to evaluate morphological changes of the esophagogastric junction and surrounding organs.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12267-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The study subjects were 18 healthy volunteers and 29 patients with reflux esophagitis (RE). Immediately after swallowing a diluted contrast agent, continuous imaging of the esophagogastric junctional area was performed for 15 s. Using CT images, the presence or absence of esophageal hiatal hernia, His angle before and after swallowing, size of the diaphragmatic hiatus, morphologically identified‐LES (MI‐LES) length, intraluminal horizontal area of MI‐LES during relaxation phase, MI‐LES thickness, abdominal esophagus length, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, and esophagogastric junction fat area were evaluated.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12267-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Analysis of CT images showed more frequent occurrence of hiatal hernia, greater His angle, and a larger diaphragmatic hiatus in patients with severe RE, while the lengths of MI‐LES and abdominal esophagus were shorter in those patients. Visceral and esophagogastric junction fat areas tended to be greater in patients with RE. In all subjects, the posterior wall of the MI‐LES was thicker than the anterior wall.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12267-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Continuous imaging with 320‐row area detector CT is useful to evaluate morphological changes in the esophagogastric junction area in both normal individuals and patients with reflux esophagitis.</p> </sec> </abstract>