[Routine double-contrast radiographic examination of the esophagus]

The authors evaluate the opportunity of extending the double-contrast technique to the X-rays examination of the esophagus, with particular regard to physical and chemical features of barium compounds used at present for the X-rays study of digestive tract. The authors expose the results of this kind of X-rays examination in the most important fields of esophageal pathology. Personal experience actually demonstrate the opportuny of extending the double-contrast technique to routine practice, as a first approach to the double-contrast study of the upper digestive tract.