Published online Sep 15, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.iSuppl1.143
Revised: March 21, 1996
Accepted: August 19, 1996
Published online: September 15, 1996
AIM: To assess the role of marshmallow bolus for the evaluation of the esophageal symptoms and to compare the usefulness to March conventional esophagogram (CE) and functional esophagogram with a marshmallow bolus (FEMB).
METHODS: EEMB was undertaken in 54 patients (dysphagia 9 patients: globus symptom 14 patients; Chest pain 31 patients) and 10 healthy controls. The severity of dysmotility was graded as normal, mild, moderate, and severe grade according to hesitation or impaction of marshmallow bolus.
RESULTS: All healthy controls were normal both in CE and FEMB. Forty five percent of the FEMB were abnormal in patients with normal CE. All patients with normal FEMB was normal in CE. The symptom reproducibility was more common in patients with dysphagia (55%) than other groups (P < 0.05) and was more common in severe grade (P < 0.05). The severe grade and symptom reproducibility were more common in patients with non specific esophageal motor disorder than normal manometric study (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Functional esophagogram with a marshmallow bolus is inexpensive, safe and is thought to be valuable as one of the diagnostic tools for esophageal motility disorders.