Role for barium swallow in GERD

In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is there a role for barium swallow? 

  • A barium esophagram plays a key role prior to antireflux surgery for patients with GERD.
  • This examination allows for assessment of esophageal emptying, identifies the presence and type of hiatal hernia as well as the presence of a foreshortened esophagus, evaluates esophageal motility, and may detect and qualify the amount of reflux.
  • The caveat with reflux is that its absence at the time of the barium swallow does not exclude this diagnosis; therefore this examination should never be performed solely to detect or exclude reflux.
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