Dynamic, diagnostic, and pharmacological radionuclide studies of the esophagus in achalasia

The esophagus was evaluated in 15 patients with achalasia by continuous gamma camera imaging following ingestion of a semi-solid meal labeled with 99mTc. The images were displayed and recorded on a simple computerized data processing/display system. Subsequent ciné mode images of esophageal emptying demonstrated abnormalities of the body of the esophagus not reflected by the manometric examination. Computer-generated time-activity curves representing specific regions of interest were better than manometry in evaluating the results of myotomy, dilatation, and drug therapy. Isosorbide dinitrate significantly improved esophageal emptying.