Upper gastrointestinal tract scintigraphy and ultrasonography in diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in children

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is one of the most common gastrointestinal tract disorders both in adults and children. The study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of gastrointestinal upper tract (GUT) scintigraphy and GUT ultrasonography in detection of GER in children. MATERIAL/METHODS: The investigated group comprised of 76 children, aged 1–204 months (mean 74 months) with clinical signs and symptoms of GER. All of them underwent GUT scintigraphy, and 42 children had also GUT ultrasonography. RESULTS: GUT scintigraphy confirmed reflux in 60/76 children (78.9%), GUT ultrasonography - in 17/42 children (40.5%). Airways tract aspiration was detected in one child. CONCLUSIONS: Scintigraphy was found to be a very useful method in detection of GER, as it confirmed the presence of GER in most of the children with signs and symptoms suggestive of GER. It also allows for the detection of airways tract aspiration. GUT ultrasonography showed a lower sensitivity. Both investigations are simple, noninvasive, not changing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and can be performed in out-patient conditions.