Assessment of esophagogastric junction morphology by dynamic real-time MRI: comparison of imaging features to high-resolution manometry

Lorenz Biggemann*, Johannes Uhlig, Nina Gliem, Omar Al-Bourini, Edris Wedi, Volker Ellenrieder, Michael Ghadimi, Martin Uecker, Jens Frahm, Joachim Lotz, Ali Seif Amir Hosseini, Ulrike Streit

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) on real-time MRI and compare imaging parameters to EGJ morphology on high-resolution manometry (HRM). Methods: A total of 105 of 117 eligible patients who underwent real-time MRI and high-resolution manometry for GERD-like symptoms between 2015 and 2018 at a single center were retrospectively evaluated (male n = 57; female n = 48; mean age 52.5 ± 15.4 years). Real-time MRI was performed at a median investigation time of 15 min (1 frame/40 ms). On HRM, EGJ morphology was assessed according to the Chicago classification of esophageal motility disorders. Real-time MRI was performed at 3 T using highly undersampled radial fast low-angle shot acquisitions with NLINV image reconstruction. A 10 mL pineapple juice bolus served as oral contrast agent at supine position. Real-time MRI films of the EGJ were acquired during swallowing events and during Valsalva maneuver. Anatomic and functional MRI parameters were compared to EGJ morphology on HRM. Results: On HRM, n = 42 patients presented with EGJ type I (40.0%), n = 33 with EGJ type II (31.4%), and n = 30 with EGJ type III (28.6%). On real-time MRI, hiatal hernia was more common in patients with EGJ type III (66.7%) than in patients with EGJ type I (26.2%) and EGJ type II (30.3%; p < 0.001). Sliding hiatal hernia was more frequent in patients with EGJ type II (33.3%) than in patients with EGJ type III (16.7%) and EGJ type I (7.1%; p = 0.017). The mean esophagus–fundus angle of patients was 85 ± 31° at rest and increased to 101 ± 36° during Valsalva maneuver. Conclusion: Real-time MRI is a non-invasive imaging method for assessment of the esophagogastric junction. Real-time MRI can visualize dynamic changes of the EGJ during swallowing events.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)376–384
Number of pages9
JournalJapanese Journal of Radiology
Volume40
Issue number4
Early online date7 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Real-time MRI
  • Esophagogastric junction
  • EGJ
  • High-resolution manometry
  • HRM

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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