Conclusions
Although this series is rather small, yet the study made it possible to obtain some provisional information:
It is very difficult to diagnose reflux with any degree of accuracy by studying the biochemical composition of the oesophageal aspirates.
In this series, free hydrochloric acid could be detected in the gastric aspirates in only 25% of the tests and was therefore useless as an indicator for the detection of reflux without prior administration of histamine.
Pepsin activity could be detected in the gastric aspirates of only 50% of the cases. We did not attempt any injection of insulin or histamine in order to enhance production of pepsin for the purpose of using it as an indicator of reflux.
It was noted that the incidence of oesophagitis, as detected by oesophagoscopy, was more related to peptic activity than to the level of acidity.
A study of the pH, or the amylase activity was utterly useless as an aid for the detection of reflux.
A positive test for reflux in the presence of free hydrochloric acid and pepsin was found to be consistently associated with oesophagitis.
Oesophageal aspiration, after the introduction of a dye into the stomach, may have a place in the investigation of reflux.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aylwin, J. A. (1953). “The physiological basis of reflux oesophagitis in sliding diaphragmatic hernia.”Thorax, 8, 33.
Atkinson, M., Edwards, D. A., Honour, A. S., Rowlands, E. N. (1957). “Comparison of cardiac and pyloric sphincters.”Lancet, 11, 918.
Belsey, R. (1952).Modern trends in gastroenterology. London. Personal communications.
Botha, G. S. M. (1957). “A combined cineradiographic and manometric study of the gastro-oesophageal junction.”Lancet, Vol. I, 659.
Braasch, J. W., Elles, E. H. (1956). “The gastro-oesophageal sphincter mechanism. An experimental study.”Surgery, 39, 901.
Conway, E. J. (1953).The biochemistry of gastric acid secretion. Springfield, Illinois.
Creamer, B. (1955). “Oesophageal reflux.”Lancet, 1, 279.
Donnelly, B. (1953).Gastro-oesophageal regurgitation and oesophageal hiatus hernia.
Dornhorst, A. C., Harrison, K., Pierce, J. W. (1954). “Observations on normal oesophagus and cardia.”Lancet, 1, 695.
Evans, J. R., Bouslong, J. S. (1940). “Intractable heart-burn of pregnancy.”Radiology, 34, 530.
Illingworth, C. F. W. (1950). “The acid secretion of the stomach.”Edinburgh Medical Journal, 57, 223.
Ingelfinger, F. J. (1958).Physiological Review, 38, 533.
Janowitz, H. D. (1952). “Tests of gastro-intestinal function.”American Journal of Medicine, 15, 465.
Kay, E. B. (1953). “The inferior oesophageal constrictor in relation to lower oesophageal disease.”Journal of Thoracic Surgery, 25, 1.
Kiriluk, L. B., Merendino, K. A. (1954). “An experimental study of the buffering capacity of the contents of the upper small bowel.”Surgery, 35, 532.
Laurence, D. R. (1962).Clinical Pharmacology.
Marchand, P. (1955). “The gastro-oesophageal sphincter and the mechanism of regurgitation.”British Journal of Surgery, 42, 504.
Palmer, E. D. (1954). “Hiatus hernia. The problem of diagnosis.”Journal of Thoracic Surgery, 27, 271.
Peters, E. (1960). “Oesophageal aspiration.”Surgery.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Paper read at the animal meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland in Dublin on 5th October, 1963.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Matar, A. A simple test for the detection of oesophageal reflux. Ir J Med Sci 39, 471–474 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02944848
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02944848