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Solid phase radionuclide esophageal transit in mixed connective tissue disease
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 160 Taichung Harbor Road, Section 3, Taichung 40705, Taiwan.
Abdominal Imaging
|December 12, 2001
Summary
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) significantly impairs esophageal motility, leading to delayed transit in most patients. This study highlights common esophageal transit abnormalities in individuals with MCTD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disorder with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Esophageal dysfunction is a recognized, though not fully understood, complication of MCTD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate esophageal motility in patients with MCTD.
- To quantify esophageal transit abnormalities using radionuclide studies.
Main Methods:
- Solid phase radionuclide esophageal transit study was performed.
- 24 patients with MCTD and 20 healthy controls were included.
- Computer analysis of transit times, residual fraction, and retrograde index was employed.
Main Results:
- Patients with MCTD exhibited significantly increased total mean transit time, regional mean transit time, residual fraction, and retrograde index compared to controls.
- 84% of MCTD patients (20 of 24) demonstrated abnormal total mean transit time.
- These findings indicate widespread esophageal transit delays.
Conclusions:
- Delayed esophageal transit is a common and significant finding in patients with MCTD.
- Radionuclide esophageal transit studies are effective in detecting these motility disorders.
- Further research into the mechanisms and clinical impact of esophageal dysfunction in MCTD is warranted.