Detection of early asymptomatic esophageal dysfunction in systemic sclerosis using a new scintigraphic grading method.

Abstract

Symptoms may be unreliable in judging the presence of extent of esophageal disease in SSc. Esophageal scintigraphy is a useful noninvasive screening test for the detection of asymptomatic disease. The new grading system provides information that rapidly identifies the stage of esophageal disease and gives comparative data for followup and interventional studies.