The tube esophagram: a technique for obtaining a detailed double-contrast examination of the esophagus.

Although double-contrast esophagography is capable of delineating fine surface morphologic detail in the esophagus, it is not possible to obtain an optimal examination on all patients. Tube esophagography is a complementary technique that can provide a more detailed double-contrast examination of the esophagus. This procedure was performed on 45 patients in whom the routine double-contrast study was inconclusive. The tube esophagram contributed significantly to the radiologic evaluation in 33 cases, providing additional information in 23 and actually altering the final radiologic diagnosis in 10. The tube esophagram was particularly useful in depicting the distal esophagus when the initial double-contrast study was suboptimal due to inadequate distension and/or barium pooling that obscured mucosal detail in this region. The tube esophagram is a valuable adjunctive procedure that can lead to a more definitive radiologic diagnosis when the routine double-contrast examination is inconclusive.