Tests for the Evaluation of the Esophagus

Medical Tests 

What is an esophageal manometry test?
In certain patients, our team may recommend an esophageal manometry test. This is a medical test that measures the function of the muscles in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. During the test, a thin, flexible tube is inserted through the nose or mouth into the esophagus by our skilled team at the Motility Center. The tube contains sensors that measure the pressure and movement of the esophageal muscles as a person swallows. Esophageal manometry can help diagnose conditions such as GERD and specific swallowing disorders.

What is an esophageal pH monitoring test?
It is possible that our team may recommend an esophageal pH monitoring test to further evaluate certain patients. This type of medical test can measure the amount of acid and non-acid reflux affecting the esophagus. There are two types of esophageal pH monitoring tests and the type of test performed will be decided after evaluation with our team. Both tests can help diagnosis conditions such as GERD.

Catheter-based esophageal pH monitoring
During this test, a thin plastic tube is inserted through the nose, gently guided down the back of the throat and into the esophagus by our skilled team at the Motility Center. The nose will be numbed for a short period of time but no sedation or anesthesia is needed. The tube contains sensors that measure the acidity and movement of liquids and gases in the esophagus. Patients will go home with this tube for 24 hours and, are asked to keep a diary of symptoms and activities so that the results can be correlated with activity in the esophagus. During the 24 hours that the catheter is in place, the patient can go about their usual activities, for example, eating, sleeping, mild exercising, and working. The patient returns the following day to have the tube removed.

Wireless, capsule esophageal pH monitoring (Bravo^TM pH Test)
This test is performed during an endoscopy and uses a capsule, the size of an eraser on a pencil, that will be attached to the wall of the esophagus. Patients need anesthesia to complete an endoscopy. The capsule contains an acid sensing probe and a transmitter. The probe monitors the amount and frequency of acid in the esophagus and transmits this information to a recorder kept in a pouch worn by the patient. The probe can be programmed to record acid in the esophagus for 48 or 96 hours, which allows ample time to capture acid activity in the esophagus. This test has no tube protruding from the nose, and a diary of symptoms and activities are required so that the results can be correlated with activity in the esophagus.

During the 48 to 96 hours that the capsule is in place, the patient can go about their usual activities, for example, eating, sleeping, mild exercising, and working. The patient will be instructed when to return the recorder to the motility team. The capsule will eventually fall off the esophageal wall on its own, usually after five to seven days, and is passed in the stool.

Important to Note: Patients cannot have an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) during the 48 to 96 hours of testing AND for 30 days afterwards. There are also certain patients that cannot have this test. Patients with a pacemaker, implantable defibrillator, or neurostimulators cannot use the Bravo^TM pH Test.