Abnormal structure and function of the esophagogastric junction and proximal stomach in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study applies concurrent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution manometry (HRM) to test the hypothesis that structural factors involved in reflux protection, in particular, the acute insertion angle of the esophagus into the stomach, are impaired in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. METHODS: A total of 24 healthy volunteers and 24 patients with mild-moderate GERD ingested a test meal. Three-dimensional models of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) were reconstructed from MRI images. Measurements of the esophagogastric insertion angle, gastric orientation, and volume change were obtained. Esophageal function was assessed by HRM. Number of reflux events and EGJ opening during reflux events were assessed by HRM and cine-MRI. Statistical analysis applied mixed-effects modeling. RESULTS: The esophagogastric insertion angle was wider in GERD patients than in healthy subjects (+7° ± 3°; P=0.03). EGJ opening during reflux events was greater in GERD patients than in healthy subjects (19.3 mm vs. 16.8 mm; P=0.04). The position of insertion and gastric orientation within the abdomen were also altered (both P<0.05). Median number of reflux events was 3 (95% CI: 2.5-4.6) in GERD and 2 (95% CI: 1.8-3.3) in healthy subjects (P=0.09). Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was lower (-11 ± 2 mm Hg; P<0.0001) and intra-abdominal LES length was shorter (-1.0 ± 0.3 cm, P<0.0006) in GERD patients. CONCLUSIONS: GERD patients have a wider esophagogastric insertion angle and have altered gastric morphology; structural changes that could compromise reflux protection by the "flap valve" mechanism. In addition, the EGJ opens wider during reflux in GERD patients than in healthy volunteers: an effect that facilitates volume reflux of gastric contents.

Effect of liner offset and inclination on cement retention strength of metal-in-metal acetabular constructs: A biomechanical study.

Cementing metallic liners into well-fixed acetabular shells facilitates utilizing dual-mobility cups in revision total hip arthroplasty without shell replacement. The current biomechanical study investigated the effect of increasing cemented liner (a) inclination; and (b) offset on the cement retention strength measured as the lever-out moment at cement failure. Eighteen metallic liner prototypes were cemented into cluster-hole acetabular shells at variable inclinations (0°, 10°, and 20°) and offsets (0 and 10 mm) relative to the enclosing acetabular shell (6 groups; n = 3 constructs per group). The constructs were connected to a material testing frame, and lever-out failure moments were tested through an established protocol. Failure occurred at the liner-cement interface (18/18). There was no correlation between liner inclination and the lever-out failure moment (r = -0.327, P = .185). Liner offset demonstrated a strong negative correlation to mean lever-out failure moments (r = -0.788, P < .001). There was no significant difference between mean lever-out failure moments at variable liner inclinations, regardless of offset (P = .358). Greater liner offset was associated with diminished mean lever-out failure moments (P < .001). Compared with neutral (0° inclination, 0 mm offset), the maximum inclination and offset group had the lowest mean lever-out failure moment (P = .011). Cemented metal-in-metal constructs are significantly affected by the liner positioning. While a correlation between liner inclination and cement retention strength could not be asserted, cement retention strength is significantly diminished by increased liner offset.

Gastroesophageal junction: structure and function as assessed by using MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocols for quantitative assessment of the structural and functional properties of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and to compare MR imaging detection of reflux events against concurrent manometry as a reference method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local ethics committee approved this study, and written informed consent was obtained. Twelve healthy volunteers were examined. Three-dimensional models of the GEJ and proximal portion of the stomach were reconstructed from high-spatial-resolution anatomic MR images to assess the insertion angle of the esophagus into the stomach and proximal stomach distention before and after ingestion of a large test meal. A linear mixed-effects model was used to detect differences in the insertion angle and proximal stomach distention with respect to the respiratory cycle and gastric filling. Additionally, dynamic MR imaging at high temporal resolution was used to detect reflux events. RESULTS: The esophageal insertion angle, given in units of plane angle (radians), was more acute in expiration than in inspiration (0.57 vs 0.73 radian, P = .004) but was not affected by feeding. Progressive distention of the proximal stomach was observed from baseline compared with the postprandial period (0.95 vs 0.65 radian(-1), P < .05). Eighteen reflux events detected by using MR imaging were also detected by using manometry. CONCLUSION: MR imaging methods were developed and validated for the assessment of GEJ structure and function (a) to describe the effects of respiration and feeding on the reflux barrier and (b) to detect reflux events in real time. Anatomic and dynamic MR imaging may be useful techniques in the assessment of GEJ physiology and reflux.