Evaluation of a solid bolus suitable for esophageal scintigraphy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiopharmacology

Background:

• Esophageal scintigraphy is crucial for evaluating esophageal transit disorders.
• Selecting an optimal solid bolus is essential for accurate scintigraphy interpretation.
• Minimizing residual buccal and pharyngeal activity enhances diagnostic precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the most suitable solid bolus for esophageal scintigraphy.
• To compare the oropharyngeal behavior of different food boluses and volumes.
• To determine the optimal bolus for minimizing residual activity during swallowing.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of three solid boluses: omelette, egg white, and paté.
• Evaluation of two volumes: 1-ml and 3-ml for each bolus type.
• Scintigraphic analysis of oropharyngeal transit and residual activity in 30 patients.
• Interpretation using condensed images and time-activity curves.

Main Results:

• 1-ml paté showed less retention than 3-ml paté (p=0.03).
• 3-ml egg white showed less retention than 1-ml egg white (p=0.03).
• 3-ml omelette resulted in lower oral and pharyngeal residues compared to 1-ml omelette and 3-ml egg white (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• A 3-ml radiolabeled omelette bolus is the most suitable for esophageal transit scintigraphy.
• This bolus minimizes oropharyngeal residues, improving diagnostic accuracy.
• Utilizing a 3-ml omelette bolus can enhance the assessment of esophageal disorders.