Air column in esophagus and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

BMC Medical Imaging

Shadi Ghourchian¹  Mojtaba Teimoori²  Hanieh Raji³  Alijavad Moosavi⁴ 

[1]Medical student, Scientific students' research center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, DDRI of Rasoul hospital, Sattakhan street, Tehran (1445613131), Iran

[2]Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Medical Faculty, Baqyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mollasadra street, Tehran, Iran

[3]Department of pulmonary diseases, Jundishopur University of Medical Sciences, Golestan boulevard, Ahvaz, Iran

[4]Department of pulmonary diseases, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Sattakhan street, Tehran(1445613131), Iran

关键词: radiographic anatomy;    chest computed tomography;    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease;   

Others  :  1092439
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2342-12-2

 received in 2011-05-25, accepted in 2012-01-25,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

During imaging of the normal esophagus, air is often detected. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the appearance of air bubbles on imaging and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) symptoms.

Methods

The cross-sectional imaging study was conducted at Rasole Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran. A total of 44 patients underwent X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning; the presence of air in the esophagus and visible on CT imaging was scrutinized.

Results

The average age of the subjects was 59 and the male to female ratio was 0.83. We found a significant relationship between the presence of GERD symptoms, the size of air bubbles and esophageal dilation (ED) on the CT scan.

Conclusions

Air bubbles in the esophagus may be seen frequently in CT scans, but their size and location can vary. The GERD symptoms can arise when a small diameter air column is present within the esophagus, especially in the middle and lower parts.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Moosavi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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