Esophageal Manometry
(Esophageal Motility)
What is esophageal manometry?
Esophageal manometry is a procedure for determining how well the
muscle of the esophagus works when diseases of the muscle are
suspected.
When is esophageal manometry used?
Esophageal manometry is used primarily in three situations. The
first is to evaluate the cause of reflux (regurgitation) of stomach
acid and contents back into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux
disease or GERD). The second is to determine the cause of problems
with swallowing food. The third is when there is chest pain that may
be coming from the esophagus.
How is esophageal manometry performed?
At the start of the esophageal manometry procedure, one nostril is
anesthetized with a numbing lubricant. A flexible plastic tube
approximately one-eighth inch in diameter is then passed through the
anesthetized nostril, down the back of the throat, and into the
esophagus as the patient swallows. Once inside the esophagus, the
tube allows the pressures generated by the esophageal muscle to be
measured when the muscle is at rest and during swallows. The
procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes.
How is esophageal manometry used?
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat with the
stomach. When food is propelled by a swallow from the mouth into the
esophagus, a wave of muscular contraction starts behind the food in
the upper esophagus and travels down the entire length of the
esophagus (referred to as the body of the esophagus) propelling the
food in front of it down the esophagus and into the stomach. At the
upper and lower ends of the esophagus are two short areas of
specialized muscle called the upper and lower esophageal sphincters.
At rest (that is, when there has been no swallow) the muscle of the
sphincters is active and generates pressure that prevents anything
from passing through them. As a result, material within the
esophagus cannot back up into the throat, and stomach acid and
contents cannot back up into the esophagus. When a swallow occurs,
the sphincters relax for a few seconds to allow food to pass.
The most common use for esophageal manometry is to evaluate the lower
esophageal sphincter in patients who have gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD). Manometry often can identify weakness in the lower
esophageal sphincter that allows stomach acid and contents to back up
into the esophagus.
Manometry can diagnose several esophageal conditions that result in
food sticking after it is swallowed. For example, achalasia is a
condition in which the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter does
not relax with each swallow. As a result, food is trapped within the
esophagus. Abnormal function of the muscle of the body of the
esophagus also may result in food sticking. For instance, there may
be failure to develop the wave of muscular contraction (as can occur
in patients with scleroderma) or the entire esophageal muscle may
contract at one time (as in an esophageal spasm). Manometry reveals
an absence of the wave in the first case and the contraction of the
muscle everywhere in the esophagus at the same time, or spasm, in the
second case.
The abnormal functioning of the esophageal muscle also may cause
episodes of severe chest pain that can mimic heart pain (angina).
Such pain may occur if the esophageal muscle goes into spasm or
contracts too strongly. In either case, esophageal manometry can
identify the muscular abnormality.
Next: What limitations are there to the use of esophageal manometry? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, Heartburn) - Learn about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, acid reflux, heartburn) symptoms like hearbrun, chest pain, regurgitation, and nausea. Causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention information is also included. Source:MedicineNet
- Scleroderma - Read about scleroderma (an autoimmune disease) symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, facts and prognosis. Scleroderma may be diffuse or limited (CREST variant, in which Raynaud's phenomenon and calcinosis are skin complications). Source:MedicineNet
- Esophagitis - Esophagitis symptoms include difficult and painful swallowing, heartburn, mouth sores feeling of something stuck in the throat, nausea and vomiting. Learn how to recognize esophagitis symproms, warning signs and treatment on MedicineNet.com. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic
- Read 15 more Esophageal Manometry related articles ...
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