IS Case 581: LINX GERD device
Imaging Sciences URMC 2010
Publication Date: 2011-11-17
History
Patient is a 61-year-old male with long standing history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), status post LINX gastroesophageal reflux device placement 15 months ago. Patient reported that he had not had any symptoms of reflux since the placement of the LINX device.
Findings
Images of the GE junction demonstrated evidence of Linx GERD device, which is a ring of titanium based magnets.
Diagnosis
LINX GERD device
Discussion
In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly and there is leakage of food and acid from the stomach into the distal esophagus causing symptoms of reflux.
The LINX reflux device is a ring of small titanium beads linked together and each bead has a central magnetic core. The magnets attract each other and stay close forming a tight ring. The LINX ring is usually placed around the lower esophageal sphincter using laparoscopy. The magnetic beads attract each other to form a tight ring around the esophagus and close the GE junction preventing reflux. When the patient swallows, the ring opens up causing food to empty into the stomach from the esophagus.
The LINX device is currently under investigation with ongoing clinical trials. There are about 100 people worldwide that have received this device so far for treatment of GERD. Our patient in this case reports that he has not had a single episode of symptoms of GERD since the LINX device was implanted about 15 months ago.
References
- LINX reflux management study, Mayo Clinic, Oct 1, 2009. [http://clinicaltrials.mayo.edu/clinicaltrialdetails.cfm?trial_id=100773]
- Magnetic device studied as treatment for heartburn and acid reflux. Science Centric, Feb 24, 2009. [http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/09022453-magnetic-device-studied-as-treatment-heartburn-acid-reflux.html]
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