title: The lower esophageal sphincter shown by a computerized representation.
abstract: The clinical application of manometry of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) remains controversial. This is because of the large variability in recorded lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP). In this paper a computerized method providing a three-dimensional image of the LES is described. In 12 healthy subjects end-expiratory rapid pull-through LESP recordings were performed for 1 h, using a perfused 8-channel probe. A cylindric model of the sphincter was calculated by means of a graphics program. The graphic representation of the LES demonstrated a circular pressure zone that was affected by the gastric migrating motility complex. This pressure zone was located proximal to a persistent indentation in the posterior and right posterolateral direction. Three-dimensional visualization of the LES provides additional information that cannot be obtained by the usually used techniques of analysis of sphincter manometry.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Surgical Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bemelman
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: van der Hulst
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dijkhuis
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: van der Hoeven
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Klopper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted