Endoscopic esophageal manometry.
OBJECTIVE
We performed through-the-scope-manometry of the esophagus on 12 patients referred for esophageal symptoms.


METHODS
A 3-lumen polyvinyl tube was passed through the biopsy channel of a standard video-endoscope. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with through-the-scope-manometry as well as a conventional laboratory-based manometric study; the sequence of the procedures was randomized.


RESULTS
Mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure was 18 +/- 11 mm of mercury by both methods. In the lower esophagus, mean wave amplitude was 60 +/- 25 mm of mercury by through-the-scope manometry and 82 +/- 28 by laboratory testing. In the upper esophagus, mean wave amplitude was 50 +/- 26 mm of mercury by through-the-scope manometry and 63 +/- 20 by laboratory testing. Wave duration tended to be lower by through-the-scope manometry than by laboratory testing in the lower and upper esophagus. In nine patients with normal esophageal motility, 54% of swallows resulted in a peristaltic wave by the endoscopic study versus 100% for the laboratory test.


CONCLUSIONS
Through-the-scope-manometry was able to accurately measure lower esophageal sphincter pressure compared with laboratory-based manometry. Peristaltic wave amplitude by through-the-scope manometry was reduced compared with laboratory-based manometry, most likely because of the use of dry swallows. Through-the-scope-manometry has promise as a screening test for esophageal motility disorders.
D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000502:physiology