Esophageal emptying in achalasia quantitated by a radioisotope technique.

Delayed esophageal emptying of a radiolabeled meal distinguished symptomatic achalasia patients from asymptomatic controls. Esophageal emptying of the isotope meal significantly improved in ten achalasia patients after pneumatic dilation, and in one patient after surgical myotomy. The emptying curve in some patients after treatment simulated that of control subjects. Quantitation of esophageal emptying by a radiolabeled meal is a physiologic test that may be useful in evaluating results of therapy for achalasia.