Ultrasound of the gastroesophageal junction.

In 560 endoscopy examinations performed on infants with severe vomiting, no esophagitis was found without endoscopic herniation of the gastroesophageal junction. The length of the abdominal esophagus therefore appears fundamental in reflux studies. Sonography is one of few techniques able to define the abdominal esophagus in vivo, both in terms of its anatomy and as a functional structure. Accurate assessment of the sonographic canal requires careful measurement under strictly defined clinical conditions. Using such criteria, ultrasound has a better sensitivity than barium studies in detecting small herniations. In addition to the important length measurements of the abdominal esophagus, other morphological and functional data can also be acquired by ultrasound.