Esophageal manometry

Abstract

Esophageal manometry is a specialised diagnostic method for the examination of esophageal motility. It uses numerous pressure sensors (channels) that are evenly distributed along a thin catheter, which is inserted through the nose into the esophagus. These sensors are able to record any pressure change in the entire esophagus. This method has undergone rapid development in recent years. Now high-resolution manometry (HRM) has almost fully replaced conventional manometry, allowing us to depict the entire esophagus in detail and with high fidelity, from the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) over the esophageal body to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The whole esophagus, with both sphincters and peristaltic function, can be visualised concurrently. The aim of this article is to introduce HRM to our readers, to present its advantages overthe conventional manometry and briefly and clearly describe howto evaluate a manometrie record.