[Radiological and endoscopic investigations of the esophagus in 33 cases of generalized scleroderma (author's...

The esophagus was examined radiologically and endoscopically in 33 patients with generalized scleroderma. 13 patients complained of difficulties which suggested implication of the esophagus, scleroderma was found in the esophagus in 26. Radiological demarcation of location of the scleroderma required investigation of the esophageal peristalsis. Endoscopic examination permits an equally reliable assessment through the identification of characteristic signs: the lack of peristaltic contractions in the lower half of the esophagus, and the persistence of water in the esophagus for more than 30 seconds after injection of a few milliliters in the recumbent patient. Further, a peptic esophagitis can often be recognised endoscopically when it is not detectable radiologically (10 cases) and in cases of peptic stenosis (4 patients) exact location of the lesion is possible.