The predictive value of computed tomography in the detection of reflux esophagitis in patients undergoing upper endoscopy.

Background: Reflux esophagitis (RE) may mimic symptoms requiring cross-sectional imaging.

Methods: From 565 patients who had CT and esophagogastroduodenoscopy within four days apart, CT scans of 72 patients with RE confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 108 matched patients without RE were evaluated for distal esophageal wall characteristics.

Results: In RE patients the distal esophageal wall thickness was greater (5.2±2.0mm) compared to patients without RE (3.5±1.2mm, p<0.0001) with AUC of 0.78 and 56% sensitivity, 88% specificity for a 5.0mm cut-off.

Conclusions: There is a moderate association between distal esophageal wall thickness on CT and RE diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy as the reference standard.