[Gastroesophageal reflux in children. A combined radiologic and scintigraphic study].

Thirty-one children examined for gastroesophageal (GE) reflux were studied with both barium meal X-ray and gastroesophageal scintigraphy. The study was performed with a double-blind method. The children with negative findings at both tests were submitted to intraluminal esophageal pH probe test. Barium X-ray detected GE reflux in 17/27 patients, whereas radionuclide scintigraphy was positive in 24/27 (positivity: 63% versus 89%; p less than 0.05). Their combined use provided positive findings in 26/27 cases. Scintigraphy appeared to be a safe and reliable screening test to detect GE reflux. Moreover, scintigraphy was superior to barium X-ray study for it had higher diagnostic accuracy, it could be easily performed on young patients, and delivered smaller radiation doses.