Health Encyclopedia

Esophageal manometry

Definition

Esophageal manometry is a test to measure the pressure inside the lower part of the esophagus.

Alternative Names

Esophageal motility studies; Esophageal function studies

How the test is performed

When you swallow, muscles in your esophagus contract to help push food toward your stomach. Valves, or sphincters, inside the esophagus open to let food and liquid through, and then close to prevent food, fluids, and gastric acid from moving backward. The sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus is called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES.

During esophageal manometry, a thin, pressure-sensitive tube is passed through your mouth or nose and into your stomach. Once in place, the tube is pulled slowly back into your esophagus.

When the tube is in your esophagus, you will be asked to swallow. The pressure of the muscle contractions will be measured along several sections of the tube.

While the tube is in place, other studies of your esophagus may be done. The tube is removed after the tests are completed. The test takes about 1 hour.

How to prepare for the test

You should not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.

How the test will feel

You may have a gagging sensation and some discomfort when the tube is put into place.

Why the test is performed

The purpose of esophageal manometry is to see if the esophagus is contracting and relaxing properly. The test helps diagnose any swallowing problems. Your health care provider may request that this test be performed if you have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Normal Values

The LES pressure and muscle contractions are normal when you swallow.

What abnormal results mean

Abnormal results may indicate the following:

Achalasia
Diffuse esophageal spasm
Lack of muscle coordination

What the risks are

The tube in the esophagus may cause increased salivation, which raises your risk for aspiration. This can lead to lung injury or aspiration pneumonia.

In general, people with swallowing difficulty are at higher risk for aspiration.

References

Wilson, J F. In the clinic. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(3): ITC2-1-15; quiz ITC2-16

Review Date:9/7/2008
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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