Esophageal manometry test is a method used in the diagnosis of esophageal diseases. Esophagus, which is defined as the esophagus among the people; It is a tube between the oral cavity and the stomach and consists of muscles that allow the food consumed to be transmitted to the stomach. Since it is an organ that is always active throughout human life, some problems may occur in the esophagus. In order to eliminate the complaints experienced and not to make them more severe, a gastroenterology specialist should be consulted without delay, and the necessary diagnosis and treatment methods should be applied.
Contents
We can list the diseases seen in the esophagus (oesophagus) as follows;
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux)
- esophagitis
- Esophageal ulcer
- esophageal cancer
- stomach hernia
- hiatal hernia
- Barrett esophagitis
- Esophageal stricture
- achalasia
- Diffuse esegageal spasm
The inner surface of the esophagus, which comes into contact with consumed food, is covered with epithelial cells. Deformations and uncontrolled proliferation of the cells in question; As it can cause esophageal cancer, deformations in the muscles forming the esophagus cause various mechanical complaints (such as difficulty in swallowing). The main complaints in esophageal diseases are; weight loss, hoarseness, cough, weakness and fatigue, difficulty in swallowing, returning the consumed food to the mouth and feeling of pain in the chest.
Various diagnostic methods are applied when a doctor is consulted due to the complaints experienced. The most preferred of these methods; endoscopy, esophagography and manometry.
What is a manometer?
Manometer; Besides being an important diagnostic method used in recent years, it provides measurement and evaluation of muscle pressures in an organ. Esophageal manometry test is applied to diagnose the complaints in the esophagus. With this method, the pressure of the muscles in the esophagus (peristalsis wave and pressure) and the muscles at the lower end of the esophagus (LES) are measured.
With the esophagus manometer test, the strength, function and frequency of contractions during swallowing are determined.
In Which Situations Is Esophageal Manometry Applied?
The situations in which the esophageal manometer is applied can be listed as follows;
- Evaluation of functional diseases of the esophagus
- Evaluation process before reflux surgery
- Determination of the lower esophageal sphincter position prior to pH assessment
- Detection of the disease in case of complaints such as difficulty in swallowing, pain during swallowing, dry cough, burning sensation in the stomach and chest pain
How is Esophageal Manometer Applied?
Before the esophageal manometer, an 8-hour fast is required in order to prevent the risk of vomiting. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. After anesthesia applied through both nostrils, the patient is seated upright at 90 degrees.
The catheter, which is specially designed for the manometer test, is sent from the patient's nose to the esophagus and from the esophagus to the stomach. It should be noted that this catheter does not interfere with breathing and should not be a concern. After the catheter is delivered, the patient is placed in the side-lying position. In this process, gastric pressure is measured, and esophageal lower and upper sphincter pressures are also evaluated. During the application, minimal amount of water is drunk and the results of swallowing are recorded. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and then the catheter is removed from the nose.
Although there is no risk in the esophageal manometer procedure, some patients may experience minimal pain.
