1 of 25

University of Mosul�College of Medicine

Lecture: ( 1a)

Subject/year: 2023-2024

Lecturer: Dalal Ahmed Ramadhan

Department: surgery

Date: 29-11-2023

2 of 25

GIT radiology

What is peculiar about GIT characteristics:

• Hallow viscus ( not solid).

• Usually filled with gas.

• Motility.

2

3 of 25

3

4 of 25

Barium swallow �normal esophagus

4

5 of 25

5

Barium swallow is a dedicated test of the pharynx, esophagus, and proximal stomach, and may be performed as a single or double contrast study.

6 of 25

Presentation

Chest pain & Dysphagia in 60 y male

6

The bird's beak sign of the esophagus is used to refer to the tapering of the inferior esophagus in achalasia.

7 of 25

7

Rat tail sign of the esophagus is used to refer to the tapering of the inferior esophagus in achalasia cardia .

8 of 25

8

Achalasia cardia(primary achalasia)

1.Plain radiograph

Chest radiograph findings include:

convex opacity overlapping the right mediastinum. Occasionally may present as a left convex opacity if the thoracic aorta is tortuous.

air-fluid level due to stasis in a thoracic esophagus filled with retained secretions and food

small or absent gastric bubble

anterior displacement and bowing of the trachea on the lateral view

patchy alveolar opacities, usually bilateral, may be seen. These represent acute pneumonitis or chronic aspiration pneumonia related to dysphagia.

9 of 25

9

2.Fluoroscopy with barium swallow

Findings include:

1.bird beak sign or rat tail sign at the distal aspect of the esophagus

2.esophageal dilatation occurs secondary to infra diaphragmatic lower third esophageal lumen narrowing being constant , variable in length & smooth in outline .

3.uncoordinated,non-propulsive, tertiary contractions .

4. No any shoulder sign .

10 of 25

Achalasia cardia

10

11 of 25

11

A corkscrew esophagus

also known as a rosary bead esophagus, is a classic appearance of distal esophageal spasm on a barium swallow.

The finding is caused by multiple tertiary (non-propulsive) contractions interrupting the normal peristalsis.

12 of 25

12

The appearance of the esophagus below is typical of what disease

Process ????

Chagas' disease

Scleroderma

Diffuse esophageal spasms

Achalasia

13 of 25

Achalasia cardia (CT scan) �CT scan of the chest ,coronal section shows: huge dilatation of the thoracic esophagus filled with food & fluid material , with narrowing of infra-diaphramatic portion of the esophagus.

13

14 of 25

14

Esophageal stricture

refers to any persistent intrinsic narrowing of the esophagus.

Etiology

The most common causes are fibrosis induced by inflammatory , caustic material , post surgical and neoplastic processes.

Radiographic features

Benign strictures characteristically:

Long segment of constant narrowing smoothly tapering

Funneling of the proximal end

typically concentric narrowing, but may affect only one side of the .

esophagus (asymmetric wall rigidity)

Malignant strictures are characteristically:

abrupt

asymmetric

eccentric with irregular, nodular mucosa

Shoulder sign on either ends of the narrowing ( Apple core sign ) .

15 of 25

15

Corrosive esophagitis

Barium swallow study:

Radiological finding :The esophagus is opacified with the contrast showing long segment of stricture involving the distal lower third part of the esophagus with proximal esophageal dilatation the narrowing is smooth in outline with funneling of the proximal end & no shoulder sign .

16 of 25

16

Barium swallow study:

Radiological finding :The esophagus is opacified with the contrast showing long segment of stricture involving the mid & lower third part of the esophagus , & no shoulder sign .

DX:Corrosive esophagitis

17 of 25

17

Barium swallow

Radiological finding: Moderate length lower esophageal stricture with irregular mucosa and shouldering of either end.

DX : Esophageal carcinoma

18 of 25

18

CT scan Assessment of Esophageal Cancer: very important in Preoperative Staging and Monitoring of Response to Therapy

circumferential mural thickening of the lower thoracic esophagus

19 of 25

A ? B ?

19

20 of 25

PET Scan: esophageal Ca

20

21 of 25

21

Esophageal diverticula :

Radiological features: an outpouching from the wall of the esophagus seen filled with contrast

Upper esophageal diverticula

Zenker diverticulum: actually, pharyngeal but it is common practice to include it with esophageal , seen posteriorly in the cervical esophagus.

diverticula Killian-Jamieson diverticulum

Middle esophageal diverticula

Traction diverticula: are (true diverticula) which occur secondary to scarring, fibrosis and inflammatory processes (tuberculous adenitis)

a traction diverticulum is triangular or polygonal in shape, and broad-mouthed . Due to pulling on the esophageal wall , seen usually laterally.

Lower esophageal diverticula

epiphrenic diverticula: just above the diaphragm .

22 of 25

Traction diverticula

22

23 of 25

Radiological features: an outpouching from the wall of the esophagus is seen, filled with contrast �

23

24 of 25

Radiological features: an outpouching from the wall of the esophagus seen filled with contrast (mention the site & type)

24

25 of 25

Esophageal web

  • Barium swallow:
  • There is a thin, shelf-like projection arising from the anterior wall of the cervical portion of the esophagus.

25