The history and use of the timed barium esophagram in achalasia, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, and esophageal strictures.

Wojciech Blonski, Joel E Richter, John Jacobs, John Feldman

Journal: Neurogastroenterology and motility 2024;37(1):e14928

PMID: 39345000

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia is one of the most common complaints that gastroenterologists encounter in the outpatient setting. To evaluate this common complaint, patients are often sent for a barium esophagram, a test that is widely available, inexpensive, and easy to perform. This simple test provides a reliable method to evaluate esophageal anatomy and structural abnormalities.

PURPOSE

This narrative reviews the history of the development and validation of the timed-barium esophagram (TBE), along with its strengths and limitations, and discusses its use in the pre- and posttreatment assessment of patients with achalasia, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO), and esophageal strictures. Providing excellent anatomic detail of the esophagus and an accurate assessment of esophageal emptying, over time, the TBE has become part of the standard workup in our Swallowing Center for patients with dysphagia.

Address: Division of Gastroenterology, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA.; Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.; Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.; Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Esophageal Diseases, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.; Department of Radiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.

DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14928

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Esophageal Achalasia, Esophagogastric Junction, Esophageal Stenosis, History, 20th Century, Deglutition Disorders, Barium Sulfate, History, 21st Century, Contrast Media