1. Follow-up barium study after a negative water-soluble contrast examination for suspected esophageal leak: is it necessary?
- Author
-
Sanchez TR, Holz GS, Corwin MT, Wood RJ, and Wootton-Gorges SL
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Barium Sulfate, Child, Child, Preschool, Contrast Media, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Radiography, Retrospective Studies, Triiodobenzoic Acids, Esophageal Perforation diagnostic imaging, Esophagus diagnostic imaging, Esophagus injuries, Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the value of follow-up barium esophogram in diagnosing esophageal injury or leak if the initial water-soluble contrast examination of the esophagus is normal. An institutional review board (IRB)-approved retrospective review of all pediatric patients less than 18 years old referred to the radiology department for evaluation of esophageal injury or leak was performed for a 9-year period from 2005 to 2014. The majority of patients had unexplained pneumomediastinum, chest trauma (gunshot or puncture wound), or foreign body ingestion as the reason for the referral. Forty-nine patients (age range 10 days to 17 years) underwent an initial water-soluble esophogram immediately followed by a barium esophogram. Forty-six studies were negative on both water-soluble contrast and barium studies. Two studies were both positive on the initial water-soluble contrast and subsequent barium studies. A single study showed the esophageal leak only in the water-soluble study, with the follow-up barium exam being normal. The result of this study indicates that a single-contrast water-soluble esophogram alone is sensitive in the diagnosis of esophageal injury or leak. It has a 100 % sensitivity and negative predictive value. A follow-up barium esophogram only increases the study time and radiation dose to the patient.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF