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Fluoroscopic studies of the gastrointestinal tract are becoming increasing less common due to the introduction of other imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and to the increased availability of endoscopy. Nevertheless, fluoroscopic studies of the gastrointestinal tract continue to appear in clinical guidelines and some of their indications are still valid. These studies are dynamic, operator-dependent examinations that require training to obtain the maximum diagnostic performance. This review aims to describe the technique and bring the indications for this imaging modality up to date., (Copyright © 2016 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the clinical and endoscopic features of caustics injuries in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients of the National Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión., Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted; the study populations were patients diagnosed with caustic ingestion who were admitted into the Gastroenterology service of the HNDAC to perform an upper endoscopy during the period of January 2009 to December 2012. We documented the type of caustic substance ingested, cause of intake, amount ingested, intake mode, signs or symptoms present, endoscopic findings as classified by Zargar, presence of complications and treatment performed. Analysis was performed comparing them based on the ingested caustic type: acid or alkali., Results: We obtained 91 patients; the average age was 30.6±16.3 years. Caustic substances ingested were: bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in 71 (78%) patients, muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) in 18 (20%) patients, caustic soda in 2 (2%) patients. The average intake was 136ml (30-500 ml). The most frequent signs and symptoms were vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and sore throat. The 46% of patients had injuries. 100% of patients who ingested acid and 33% who ingested alkali had lesions. Five (5%) patients had oropharyngeal lesions, 24 (26%) in the esophagus, 36 (40%) in the stomach and 12 (13%) in the duodenum. Grade I lesions were found in 10 (11%) patients, 16 (18%) patients with grade II lesions and 15 (16%) of patients with grade III, 12 patients who toke acid had lesions of grade III. Esophageal stricture was found in 2 (2%) patients, gastric stenosis in 7 (8%) patients and esophageal and gastric stenosis in 3 (3%) patients. Two patients required pneumatic dilation and 10 surgical treatments., Conclusion: Most injuries were found in the stomach. Acidic injuries occur more frequently and with greater severity than alkaline. Acidic substances produce esophageal or gastric stenosis more frequently than alkaline.

Background: Postoperative leaks are the most undesirable complication of bariatric surgery and upper gastrointestinal (GI) series are routinely ordered to rule them out. Despite the published literature recommending against its routine use, it is still being customarily used in Chile., Aim: To examine the usefulness of routine upper GI series using water-soluble iodinated contrast media for the detection of early postoperative leaks in patients undergoing bariatric surgery., Material and Methods: A cohort of 328 patients subjected to bariatric surgery was followed from October 2012 to October 2013. Most of them underwent sleeve gastrectomy., Results: Upper GI series on the first postoperative day were ordered to 308 (94%) patients. Postoperative leaks were observed in two patients, with an incidence of 0.6%. The sensitivity for upper GI series detection of leak was 0% and the negative predictive value was 99%., Conclusions: Routine upper GI series after bariatric surgery is not useful for the diagnosis of postoperative leak, given the low incidence of this complication and the low sensitivity of the technique.