title: [Motility determinations on the esophagus and its sphincter system].
abstract: The most important tests in esophageal disease are endoscopy and standard X-ray examination. The tests yield valuable information on the structure but little information on the function of the esophagus. Many disorders, however, such as oropharyngeal dyskinesia, diffuse esophageal spasm, achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux are defined by an abnormal esophageal function. In these cases tests such as cinéradiography, manometry, pH-metry and scintigraphy which quantitatively assess esophageal function are necessary. The interpretation of these tests is difficult for the following reasons. 1. Insufficient technical equipment favours false positive and false negative results. 2. Some disorders of esophageal motility exist only temporarily and may be absent at the time of examination. 3. Some disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux are quantiatively defined. Minor or transient disturbancies of esophageal motility may also be found in healthy individuals. The normal range of esophageal function is not sufficiently known in most instancies. Because of these difficulties it is advisable to perform several function tests in each individual patient and to assess the results of these tests together with the slinical symptoms, standard radiology and endoscopy.
mesh_terms: D002299:Cardia / Q000503:physiopathology; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000503:physiopathology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry
vernacular_title: Motilitätsmessungen am Osophagus und seinen Verschlusystemen