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