Esophageal pressure measurement

As esophageal motility or esophageal manometry the determination of the pressure (is manometry ) in the gullet (esophagus) by means of a catheter designated.

It is used to diagnose motility disorders in esophageal diseases such as achalasia , diffuse esophageal spasm , nutcracker esophagus or esophageal involvement in the context of collagenoses and diabetic polyneuropathy .

Action

In esophageal manometry, a thin probe is advanced through the nose and into the stomach. The probe has several pressure measurement points at its end. If the probe is in the stomach, or as deep as possible in the esophagus (esophagus), the probe is withdrawn very slowly and centimeter by centimeter through the esophagus. A small sip of liquid is given to swallow each time. The pressure that is triggered by the act of swallowing in the esophagus is transferred to the pressure measuring point and is measured. The pressure changes are saved by a device (PC) and displayed as computer graphics. The results are necessary for planning possible achalasia therapy or surgery for reflux esophagitis. They show how the whole esophagus works - its pumping muscle work ( peristalsis ). The examination takes about 30 minutes and is usually not painful.

literature

• T.Wehrmann: Esophageal manometry in functional diagnostics in gastroenterology . Springer 2006, ISBN 3-540-25670-9

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !