Technique of examination of the esophagus.

Abstract

The technique of examination of the esophagus is neither easy nor uniform. There are a number of abnormalities and specific clinical problems, such as the broad spectrum of motility disorders, congenital abnormalities, corpora aliena, the demonstration of subtle mucosal lesions and the demonstration of the different forms of hiatus hernia, these all require a different approach. First of all, attention is paid to the history: the nonspecific complaint 'having trouble swallowing' can often be specified further, which is important for the way in which the examination of the esophagus is to be conducted. After discussion the 'standard examination of the esophagus', the contrast media, the value of single contrast, double contrast, mucosal relief studies and pharmaca, some attention will be paid briefly to special examination techniques of some abnormalities.