title: Functional oesophago-gastric junction imaging.
abstract: Despite its role in disease there is still no definitive method to assess oesophago-gastric junction competence (OGJ). Traditionally the OGJ has been assessed using manometry with lower oesophageal sphincter pressure as the indicator. More recently this has been shown not to be a very reliable marker of sphincter function and competence against reflux. Disorders such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and to a lesser extend achalasia still effects a significant number of patients. This review looks at using a new technique known as impedance planimetry to profile the geometry and pressure in the OGJ during distension of a bag. The data gathered can be reconstructed into a dynamic representation of OGJ action. This has been shown to provide a useful representation of the OGJ and to show changes to the competence of the OGJ in terms of compliance and distensibility as a result of endoluminal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. barry@mech-sense.com
authors.forename: Barry P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Asbjørn M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Drewes
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gregersen
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D011312:Pressure