Our services
Reflux Testing
Our patented and exclusive Gastroesophageal Reflux Test accurately detects the presence and determines the extent and severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
What is Reflux?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition. Silent reflux affects approximately 40 to 50% of patients who have GORD. It’s referred to as ‘silent reflux’ because it doesn’t present with the classical symptoms of reflux, being heartburn, lump in the throat and and feeling of stomach acid or food coming back up into the throat.
Symptoms of silent reflux range from chronic cough, recurrent sore throats, loss of voice, persistent throat clearing, chest pain, choking, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Sometimes when stomach acid or food comes back up into the throat (reflux), it doesn’t just stop there. It can spread into other areas of the head and neck causing ear and sinus infections, sore throat and a difficulty swallowing. Reflux can also irritate the airways and travel into the lungs causing a chronic cough, breathing difficulties, recurring chest infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
When diagnosis and treatment are delayed, chronic GORD can increase the risk for serious health complications.
What is the Gastroesophageal Reflux Test?
Our patented and exclusive Gastroesophageal Reflux Test accurately detects the presence and determines the extent and severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The first of its kind, this non-invasive nuclear medicine imaging technique clearly shows where reflux fluid has travelled in the body, including the sinuses, throat, ears, airways and lungs.
The test itself is very simple. You’ll be given a small amount of a radioactive tracer to swallow. The tracer is diluted in water and has no taste or smell. The path of the water is then imaged by the SPECT/CT scanner in real time with you in an upright position and then lying down. This shows the radiologist how the scanned area is functioning. 90 minutes later, detailed 360-degree scans are performed of the head, neck, and lung regions. This provides the structural information needed.
This is the first medical test that allows doctors to see reflux fluid in the head and neck structures that have been suspected of being injured by reflux.
About Your Test
Before your appointment
You will need a referral from your doctor to make an appointment.
Upon receiving your referral, our Bookings Team will be able to help assist you in finding a time that works for you to have your test done.
You are required to fast for 4 hours prior to your examination. Please do not have anything to eat, drink, smoke or chew during the fasting period. All medications (including prescribed reflux medication) must be taken on the day of your examination prior to commencing the 4 hour fasting period.
On the day
The test is performed in two stages.
Stage One
When you’re taken into your appointment at the clinic, the Nuclear Medicine technician will give you an over-the-counter antacid (GastroGel, Gaviscon, or equivalent) followed by some water with a small dose of Technetium (the tracer).
A series of images will then be taken from the mouth down to the stomach, in the upright position and with you lying down. These images are then analysed with advanced software to show how often, and the amount of reflux, is reaching the throat and upper oesophagus.
Stage Two
Following a 90-minute break, a further 25 minutes of scans will start. A study of the head, neck and chest will be performed to detect any reflux fluid that may have travelled into the head and neck structures (including the throat)and lungs.
After your appointment
After your procedure our team will be in touch with your referring doctor to discuss the outcome of the procedure. Your referring doctor will contact you to follow up after your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to your scan and to ensure optimal imaging, you may be asked to change into a gown. A change cubicle will be provided to ensure your privacy and you will be asked to bring your belongings with you, carry baskets are provided. You will be asked to place your belongings in a suitable location within the room for the duration of your scan. After your scan, you will be provided with a change cubicle to ensure your privacy. Please ensure you have all your belongings with you prior to leaving the department. If you accidentally leave anything behind, please contact our staff to advise and we will endeavour to locate your belongings and return them to you.
Your GP or specialist may refer you for this test to investigate if reflux could be the cause of, or contributing to, one or more of the following conditions:
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Throat clearing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Recurrent chest, throat and/or ear infections
- Sinusitis
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- New or worsening asthma
- Disrupted sleep
The indications for the test are basically any chronic atypical symptoms, consistent with those of ‘silent reflux’, and for which an alternate explanation cannot be found.
Silent reflux is quite common and affects approximately 40 to 50% of patients who have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. It’s referred to as ‘silent reflux’ because it does not present with the classic symptoms of reflux, being heartburn, lump in the throat and feeling of stomach acid or food coming back up into the throat. There is in fact nothing silent about the symptoms which is often called atypical. These symptoms range from chronic cough, recurrent sore throats, loss of voice, persistent throat clearing, chest pain, choking, wheezing and shortness of breath.
This test is not advocated for diagnosing simple reflux which presents with classic and obvious symptoms, such as heartburn and food coming back up into the throat, as this can be managed clinically without testing.
You should bring:
- Your original referral or request form
- Medicare and any Government concession pension or health care cards
- Previous relevant imaging
Please allow up to 3 hours.
Our friendly Bookings Team will advise you on the cost of your procedure at the time of your booking.
In the past, reflux (GORD) was diagnosed using tests such as pH monitoring, endoscopy (scope to look inside your throat and stomach) or fluoroscopy (Barium Swallow).
- pH monitoring requires stopping reflux medication for several days, which can make symptoms worse. It only measures acid reflux in the lower oesophagus and is often uncomfortable.
- Endoscopy is useful for checking damage to the oesophagus, but it misses many cases of silent reflux.
- Fluoroscopy/Barium Swallow uses X-rays, and only shows reflux disease in the oesophagus.
The Gastroesophageal Reflux Test is a new, bulk billed, non-invasive option to show where reflux fluid has travelled in the body, including the sinuses, throat, ears, airways and lungs.
The test does involve exposure to a small amount of radiation. The entire test, radioisotope and CT exposure is less than an interstate flight and a fraction of a chest x-ray.
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