Imaging
Esophageal Foreign Bodies
- Preliminary Diagnosis: Esophageal Foreign Bodies
-
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis?
- II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing esophageal foreign bodies.
-
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
-
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
- V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosing esophageal foreign bodies.
- VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
Preliminary Diagnosis: Esophageal Foreign Bodies
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis?
PA and lateral views of the chest.
II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing esophageal foreign bodies.
Advantages
Highly portable.
Relatively inexpensive.
Exposes patients to negligible ionizing radiation.
Highly sensitive and specific in localizing radiopaque foreign bodies.
Disadvantages
Less adept in detailing the surrounding anatomical structures and esophageal mucosa.
Less useful in treatment planning compared to fluoroscopic guided esophagram or cross sectional imaging.
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
No specific contraindications to plain radiography exist.
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
Contrasted fluoroscopic evaluation of the esophagus.
CT imaging of the chest and abdomen.
V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosing esophageal foreign bodies.
Contrasted fluoroscopic evaluation of the esophagus
Advantages
Offers the capability of both diagnostic and therapeutic imaging simultaneously.
Exquisitely details the esophageal mucosa.
More sensitive and specific in detecting any secondary complications from foreign body presence.
Disadvantages
Highly operator dependent.
May expose patients to large amounts of ionizing radiation.
CT imaging of the chest and abdomen
Advantages
Highly sensitive and specific in detecting both radiolucent and radiopaque foreign bodies.
Offers exquisite detail of the primary process and any secondary complications.
May help guide treatment.
Disadvantages
Exposes patients to ionizing radiation.
VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
Contrasted fluoroscopic evaluation of the esophagus
May be contraindicated in pregnant patients.
CT imaging of the chest and abdomen
May be contraindicated in pregnant patients.
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