Esophageal inflammation evident on oral Tc-99m sulfur colloid gastroesophageal imaging

A 59-year-old woman underwent gastroesophageal and pulmonary scintigraphy with an acid liquid meal, labeled with Tc-99m sulfur colloid, to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux and eventual micropulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. Four years earlier she had endoscopic cardia dilatation. At the time of examination, she reported asthma, dry cough, sialorrhea, and mild heartburn. Static images showed accumulation of activity in the large bowel, mouth, salivary glands, and especially in the body of the esophagus. The uptake and its persistence in the esophagus for 18 hours could be a result of chronic inflammation of the esophagus. Endoscopy of the esophagus confirmed the diagnosis of esophagitis.