Comparison of Radioisotope Scan and Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux in 2-13-Year-Old Children

The aim of this study was to compare radionuclide scintigraphy and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in 2-13-year-old children who referred to a pediatric clinic in Isfahan city, Iran, during 2014-2015.
In across-sectional study, 150 children aged 2 to13 years with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux were assessed using ultrasound and radioisotope scan. All of them were treated using the drug omeprazole for 6 weeks; and finally, the diagnostic values were compared between the two methods.
Findings: Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were 96.1%, 68.2%, 94.6%, and 75.0%, and 85.2%, 45.5%, 90.1%, and 34.5%, in radioisotope scan and ultrasonography, respectively.
Radioisotope scan and ultrasonography do not have enough accuracy in diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in children. Using empirical therapy in diagnosis is depended on the duration of disease, too. Using combination of ultrasound and radioisotope scans is recommended in long-duration disease or when the case is suspicious to other diseases such as tumors and malignancy.