Esophagus involvement in systemic sclerosis: ultrasound parameters and association with clinical manifestations

Abstract Background The esophagus involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is very common yet underestimated due to the lack of suitable screening tools. This study aims explore usefulness ultrasound (US) assessment and identify its relationship with clinical CT manifestations. Methods We performed transabdominal esophageal US 38 SSc patients controls. parameters including abdominal length, wall thickness, shear-wave elastography, gastro-esophageal (His) angle, reflux were compared. Relationships between distinguishable clinical/CT parameters, such as disease questionnaire (GERDQ), modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), interstitial lung (ILD) score, largest diameter (Dmax), dilation percentage (%Eop), evaluated. Results Abdominal length was shorter group than control (2.69 cm vs 3.06 cm, P = 0.018), whereas His angle change before after drinking water larger (121° 108°, < 0.001; 7.97° 2.92°, 0.025). Reflux more frequently seen (7/38 0/38; 0.017). As for correlation higher GERDQ ≥ 8 (116.5° 125.6°, 0.035). Patients showed ILD without (15.8 9.6, 0.043). Furthermore, negatively correlated %Eop Dmax ( r − 0.573, 0.476, 0.003). Conclusion can distinguish from controls, well have correlations characteristics. Our pilot first shows that be used a noninvasive convenient method evaluate SSc.