title: Evaluating esophageal bolus transit by impedance monitoring.
abstract: The function of the esophagus is transporting nutrients from the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach. This is achieved by coordinated contractions and relaxation of the tubular esophagus and the upper and lower esophageal sphincter. Multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring offers quantification of esophageal bolus transit and/or retention without the use of ionizing radiation. Combined with conventional or high-resolution manometry, impedance measurements complement the quantification of esophageal body contraction and sphincter relaxation, offering a more comprehensive evaluation of esophageal function. Further studies evaluating the utility of quantifying bolus transit will help clarify the role and position of impedance measurements.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University Clinics of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital - Inselspital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 4, Bern 3010, Switzerland; Division of Gastroenterology, Spital Region Oberaargau (SRO) - Langenthal, St. Urbanstrasse 67, Langenthal 4900, Switzerland. Electronic address: r.tutuian@sro.ch.
authors.forename: Radu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tutuian
mesh_terms: D017097:Electric Impedance; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Esophageal bolus transit; Esophageal manometry; High-resolution esophageal manometry; Multichannel intraluminal impedance