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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

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An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Oesophageal transit patterns in healthy subjects
Nuclear Medicine Communications
|October 1, 1986
Summary
This study on oesophageal transit in 49 volunteers found that a good bolus clears the oesophagus quickly. Fragmented boluses, however, cause residual activity and prolonged transit times.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
- Physiology
Background:
- Oesophageal transit time is a key indicator of gastrointestinal function.
- Accurate measurement of oesophageal transit is crucial for diagnosing motility disorders.
- Fragmented bolus can be a confounding factor in transit studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate oesophageal transit dynamics in healthy volunteers.
- To evaluate the impact of bolus quality on oesophageal transit time.
- To assess the utility of 81Krypton (81Krm) in overcoming transit artefacts.
Main Methods:
- Studied oesophageal transit in 49 healthy volunteers.
- Utilized a tracer to measure transit time.
- Employed 81Krypton (81Krm) for imaging and assessment.
- Analyzed data for both good quality and fragmented boluses.
Main Results:
- Mean oesophageal transit time was 4.5 ± 1.3 seconds for good quality boluses.
- Residual activity was observed in approximately 80% of cases with fragmented boluses.
- Fragmented boluses led to prolonged oesophageal transit times.
Conclusions:
- Good quality bolus transit through the oesophagus is rapid and complete.
- Fragmented boluses significantly impact oesophageal transit measurements.
- 81Krypton (81Krm) imaging allows for repeat testing to mitigate artefacts from fragmented boluses.
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