Detection of pulmonary aspiration in children by radionuclide "salivagram".

The radionuclide "salivagram" was introduced to document the aspiration of oral secretions in patients who are at risk. Approximately one-third of patients studied had positive tests. A positive study does not necessarily imply that patients are at risk for aspiration after gastroesophageal reflux. However, sequential images of the lung fields after the oral radioactivity has cleared may be a sensitive technique for detecting aspiration in infants and children following reflux.