Herpes esophagitis: sensitivity of double-contrast esophagography

Barium Studies in Modern Radiology: Do They Have a Role?

“…The esophagogram is a safe, noninvasive, and relatively inexpensive global examination for dysphagia (1) that can be used to diagnose a variety of abnormalities, including swallowing dysfunction in place of or in addition to a work-up by a speech therapist (2); tumors, diverticula, or other morphologic lesions in the pharynx as an adjunct to an ear-nose-throat examination (3); esophageal dysmotility in place of manometry (4-7); tumors or other morphologic abnormalities in the esophagus in place of endoscopy (8-10); and gastroesophageal reflux in place of 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring (11). The barium esophagogram is also a useful test for detecting reflux esophagitis (12,13) and peptic strictures (14), for differentiating benign and malignant strictures (15), for determining the risk of Barrett esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (16), and for diagnosing infectious esophagitis and differentiating the various fungal and viral causes in immunocompromised patients with dysphagia or odynophagia (17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Herpes esophagitis: a comprehensive review

“…Barium esophagography should include simple and double contrasted films [65,82,83]. Small ulcerations which predominate in the distal part of the esophagus are the most typical radiologic features [65,84–86].…”

Diseases of the Upper GI Tract

“…In contrast, herpes esophagitis usually is characterized by multiple small, discrete ulcers in the upper or midesophagus without associated plaque formation ( Fig. 10.1) [6].…”