Esophageal transit of radionuclide was quantitatively analyzed in 29 patients with dermatomyositis- polymyasitis Fourteen patients (48.3%) showed retention of tracer in oropharynx. The mean value of percent retention of oropharynx was 15.5+16.6% Esophageal dysfunction was found in 19 patients (65.5%). Among thern 4 showed mild, 12 showed noderate and 3 showed severe esophageal dysfunction. Dysphagia was found in 11 patients (37.9%), which was clnsely related to percent retention of oropharynx. Quantitative analysis of esophageal transit of radionuclide seemed to be a useful technique for evatuation of dysphagia in patients with dermatomyositis-polymyositis.