title: Provocation tests versus 24-h pH and pressure measurements.
abstract: The diagnosis of the oesophageal origin of non-cardiac chest pain is still a matter of controversy. This review discusses the diagnostic accuracy of oesophageal provocation tests, such as acid perfusion, edrophonium and balloon distension, in comparison with 24-h intra-oesophageal pH and pressure recordings. It also discusses how these various tests relate to known underlying mechanisms of oesophageal chest pain: acid reflux, oesophageal dysmotility or a combination of both.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ghillebert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010528:Peristalsis; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity