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Abdominal ultrasonography as a new modality for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease
Author(s) -
Tomita Toshihiko,
Iijima Hiroko,
Kim Yongmin,
Oshima Tadayuki,
Hori Kazutoshi,
Nishiguchi Shuhei,
Matsumoto Takayuki,
Miwa Hiroto
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2010.06226.x
Subject(s) - gerd , nerd , medicine , reflux , gastroenterology , abdominal ultrasonography , extracorporeal , endoscopic ultrasonography , endoscopy , radiology , disease , ultrasonography
Background and Aims: Thickening and abnormal architecture of the esophageal wall in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been reported using endoscopic ultrasonography (US), but whether extracorporeal abdominal US is a useful diagnostic modality has not been investigated. Methods: Subjects were 37 GERD, 24 non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients and 32 controls who visited our hospital from 2006–2009 and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and extracorporeal abdominal US. The US operator was unaware of any clinical information and examined the following: (i) thickness (≥5 mm) and (ii) architecture of the esophageal wall; and (iii) presence of reflux. GERD was diagnosed when two or more of these items were positive. Results: Thickening of the lower esophageal wall in erosive GERD, NERD and controls was 5.7 ± 0.6, 4.4 ± 0.8 and 4.7 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. The thickness in erosive GERD was significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than that in NERD patients and controls. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of abdominal US diagnosis for erosive GERD and NERD (vs control) was 84.6% (11/13), 25% (6/24), 91.1% (31/34) and 91.1% (31/34), 89.4% (42/47) and 63.8% (37/58), respectively. Conclusion: Extracorporeal abdominal US could be a new useful modality for diagnosing GERD.