[A case of chronic aspiration pneumonia after total gastrectomy caused by gastroesophageal reflux revealed by a "modified-salivagram"].

A 76-year-old male patient suffered from recurrent bacterial pneumonia of the right upper lobe and both lower lobes since 2 years after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. He was treated with antibiotics repeatedly without complete remission. Meanwhile, chronic cough, purulent sputum, and persistent bilateral pulmonary infiltration developed gradually. Upper digestive tract endoscopy showed moderate reflux esophagitis. For diagnosis, we performed upper digestive tract scintigraphy, a "modified-salivagram", to detect aspiration and GER. Although aspiration was not detected, GER reaching to the upper portion of the esophagus was observed 46 min after taking radio-labeled albumin, and chronic aspiration pneumonia with GER was thus diagnosed. Bed blocks and gragling with ponvidone-iodine after meals and before sleep greatly improved the symptoms of cough and sputum. The bilateral infiltrative shadows disappeared with resolution of symptoms. Chronic aspiration resulting from GER is an important cause of chronic airway infection. Even if a patient with reflux esophagitis is asymptomatic, chronic aspiration pneumonia should be suspected in cases of recurrent or persistent pneumonia in both lower lobes. The "modified-salivagram" is a sensitive test to detect aspiration and GER in hypoacidic states, such as in total gastrectomy and elderly patients.