Simplified radioisotope technique for assessing gastroesophageal reflux in children.

There were 125 children with a strong clinical suspicion of gastroesophageal reflux and/or aspiration evaluated with gastroesophageal scintigrams. We found this examination to be more sensitive than the standard barium radiography and highly specific in detecting aspiration of gastric contents. This procedure is simple, safe and more physiologic than other available examinations. However, since gastroesophageal scintigraphy does not delineate anatomic changes as well as barium studies, structural abnormalities of the esophagus and stomach should be evaluated with barium esophagrams and upper GI series.