Radiological manifestations of radiation-induced injury to the normal upper gastrointestinal tract.

Radiation-induced injury to the normal esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in patients with advanced cervical carcinoma who received high para-aortic lymph-node irradiation to an average tumor dose of 5,000 rads is discussed. Radiation esophagitis is usually the result of mediastinal irradiation for bronchogenic carcinoma. The most consistent radiological finding is abnormal motility, with esophageal stricture and/or ulceration occurrring less frequently. Radiation gastritis usually presents as pyloric ulceration or irregular contractions of the antrum, simulating gastric carcinoma. Postbulbar duodenal mucosal thickening, ulceration, and strictures may occur. Pertinent clinical features, pathogenesis, and pathological correlations are discussed.     

Radiological management of post-surgical strictures of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Balloon dilatation of post-surgical upper gastrointestinal strictures was performed in a series of 36 patients. A total of 56 dilatations were carried out with immediate relief of symptoms in all patients with the exception of one unsuccessful dilatation. Patients remained symptom free for a period of up to 5 years. No complications were encountered. Balloon dilatation is a safe and effective means of managing post-surgical strictures. Offprint requests to: A. Grundy     

Radiological spectrum of late sequelae of corrosive injury to upper gastrointestinal tract. A pictorial review

Purpose: To evaluate the radiological spectrum of sequelae of corrosive acid and alkali injury to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract using barium contrast examination.

Material and Methods: Barium contrast radiographic films of 155 patients with a history of corrosive ingestion, acid in 120 and alkali in 35 patients with grade 2b and 3 injury on initial endoscopy, were retrospectively evaluated. Barium contrast examination of the upper GI tract was performed in the course of follow-up, beyond 3 weeks of corrosive ingestion.

Results: The esophagus was involved in 131 patients and the stomach in 74. Fifty patients had simultaneous involvement of esophagus and stomach. Radiological findings in the esophagus were solitary or multiple strictures of varying length, intramural pseudodiverticula, and carcinoma in long-standing corrosive injury. The stomach showed cicatrization, predominantly involving the antrum, linitis plastica type deformity with multiple pseudodiverticula. There was no difference in the radiological findings as to the type of corrosive ingested.

Conclusion: Barium examination of the upper GI tract is useful in the evaluation of late sequelae of corrosive injury (acid/alkali). There was no difference in the radiological findings as to the type of corrosive ingested. Thus, contrary to general belief, we found that acid and alkali damage both the esophagus and the stomach with equal degree of severity.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Endoscopic ultrasonography combines the advantages of conventional endoscopy with the capabilities of ultrasonography. This permits the examiner to see through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The close proximity permits the use of relatively high frequencies, with the resulting increase in tissue contrast and resolution. There are limitations to its use, however, with the main one being a field of view limited to a 7-cm radius. Discussed in this article is its use for the gastrointestinal wall, the esophagus, the stomach, the duodenum, and the pancreas.     

Congenital anomalies of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

A wide spectrum of congenital anomalies may affect the upper gastrointestinal tract, including anomalies of the esophagus (e.g., atresia, fistulas, webs, duplications, vascular rings), stomach (e.g., congenital gastric outlet obstruction, duplications), and duodenum (e.g., atresia, annular pancreas, duplications, malrotation). The evaluation of affected patients can require multiple imaging modalities for diagnosis and surgical planning. Radiography is often diagnostic and specific and can usually provide important clues to help determine the optimal diagnostic procedure. Neonates with complete gastric or upper intestinal obstruction do not usually require further radiologic evaluation after radiography: Barium studies are usually contraindicated, and complementary procedures (e.g., ultrasound [US], computed tomography [CT]) are not usually helpful and may even delay surgery, resulting in death. Nevertheless, US has become important in the evaluation of the pediatric gastrointestinal tract and is being used in an increasing number of applications. CT and magnetic resonance imaging are unsuitable for general screening but provide superb anatomic detail and added diagnostic specificity. They are especially useful in demonstrating esophageal duplications and vascular rings as well as associated abnormalities. However, the decision to perform a given imaging examination should be considered carefully to avoid inconvenience or unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient or delays in surgical correction. Quality control programs should be in place to ensure safe, effective radiologic practice through use of up-to-date equipment and good imaging technique.     

Endoscopic sonography of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Endoscopic sonography was used to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract of 550 patients referred for evaluation of abnormal findings seen on conventional endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, and CT. This essay illustrates the potential uses and limitations of this technique. Special emphasis has been given to the use of landmarks to facilitate orientation of the transducer in both the esophagus and stomach. Specific examples demonstrate involvement of individual layers of the bowel wall in both benign and malignant processes. It is stressed that this is a combined procedure requiring both an endoscopist and a radiologist. Endoscopic sonography is a valuable new technology with substantial potential in the evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract.     

Crohn's disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Involvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract by Crohn's disease is being recognized with increasing frequency. Gastroduodenal disease is more common, although esophageal disease is now noted infrequently as well. There is nearly always concomitant involvement of the small bowel or colon. Initial phases of the disease are manifested as superficial inflammatory changes of the mucosa but can progress to scarring and stenosis. Optimum double-contrast technique is necessary to detect these early lesions.     

消化道类癌的影像学诊断

目的:探讨消化道类癌的影像表现特点。方法:总结13例影像学检查资料完整并经手术病理证实的消化道类癌病例,检查方法包括消化道造影、CT和MRI检查。结果:13例肿瘤位于胃2例、十二指肠4例、阑尾1例、直肠6例。肿瘤直径小于2cm者8例,大于2cm者5例,最大者直径8cm。影像表现特点包括腔内占位病变、管腔变窄、管壁僵硬等。结论:消化道类癌在影像上的表现因缺少特异性而使得定性诊断困难,影像检查的目的是发现病灶、做出定位诊断、发现有无转移等异常,最后诊断仍需结合其它临床检查资料和病理检查。     

Radiologic spectrum of opportunistic infections of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Clinical findings and barium studies were reviewed in 34 patients with upper gastrointestinal opportunistic infections, including two with gastric involvement. The spectrum of radiologic features is presented with particular attention to early subtle findings such as disturbance of esophageal motility and tiny marginal filling defects. While most cases are due to Candida albicans, other organisms may also invade the upper gastrointestinal tract in the debilitated host.     

Smooth muscle tumours of the upper gastrointestinal tract

The clinical and radiological features and endoscopic findings in 13 patients with smooth muscle tumours of the upper gastrointestinal tract are reviewed. The study emphasises the non-specific nature of the symptomatology and exemplifies a number of aspects of the radiological picture of these disorders. It also illustrates some of the problems that can arise in their investigation, by radiological and endoscopic methods, and gives some indication of the favourable prognosis that may obtain when complete surgical removal of the tumour is possible.     

Balloon dilatation of upper gastrointestinal tract strictures

Balloon dilatation has been performed in a series of 30 patients with strictures of the upper gastrointestinal tract over a period of 28 months. The technique of balloon dilatation is described and the results of follow-up are presented. Sixty per cent of patients have remained symptom-free following balloon dilatation. Twenty-seven per cent of patients have undergone regular repeated dilatations when symptoms have recurred. There were no complications from the technique. Balloon dilatation is a safe and acceptable alternative to conventional methods of bougienage in the management of upper gastrointestinal tract strictures.     

Postoperative imaging of gastrointestinal tract cancers

Assessment in postoperative complications of gastrointestinal cancers via imaging modalities is of significant importance as diagnosing the cancer. Complications can be considered as an indicator for the success of surgical procedure, and has a vital importance for the patient. In this article the implications of CT, MR, ultrasonography and PET in these indications and their benefits are discussed.