Esophageal motility and reflux testing. State-of-the-art and clinical role in the twenty-first century.
Esophageal function testing has an important place in the investigation of a significant proportion of patients with esophageal disorders. Appropriate application of these tests requires a proper understanding of their capabilities and limitations and careful primary assessment by other modalities. Esophageal manometry is most useful for assessing significant troublesome dysphagia in the absence of organic obstruction. Esophageal pH monitoring is an important adjunct to clinical assessment and endoscopy in the diagnosis of reflux disease. Although it is the gold standard for the measurement of esophageal acid exposure and assessment of the relationship of symptoms to reflux, there are weakness in both of these functions that should be understood when applying the test to the diagnosis of reflux disease.
Dent
J
J
Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
Holloway
R H
RH
D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008365:Manometry