Monitoring of Pharyngeal and Upper Esophageal Sphincter Activity with an Arterial Dilation Balloon Catheter

In patients with dysphagia and radiologic signs of dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), manometry is helpful in giving a better understanding of muscular activity during swallowing. Traditional manometric methods include use of perfusion catheters or solid-state intraluminal strain gauges. The rapid and asymmetric pressure variations in the UES and difficulties compensating for the pharyngolaryngeal elevation during swallowing limit the value of these methods. We used an arterial balloon dilation catheter as a probe in manometric recording of the UES in 28 healthy volunteers. Simultaneous perfusion manometry of the pharynx with the same catheter was performed to assess the coordination of the muscular activity in the esophageal entrance during swallowing. The catheter was well tolerated by all subjects. We found an average resting pressure in the UES of 31.0 mmHg, and the average maximum pressure during contraction was 89.0 mmHg. The average duration of the swallowing act was 3.9 s. All subjects displayed a complete UES relaxation and a normal coordination of propagated pressure in the hypopharynx and UES. The results were highly reproducible and the interindividual range was low. Arterial dilation catheters are safe and have suitable physical properties for pressure monitoring in the UES.     

Oropharyngeal dysphagia

The manometric and cineradiographic features of 14 patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia are described. Failure of the upper-esophageal sphincter (UES) to relax completely and incoordination of UES relaxation with pharyngeal contraction were noted as was poor initiation of swallows and disorganization of pharyngeal contraction. The relative merits of cine esophagography and esophageal manometry in evaluating oropharyngeal dysphagia are assessed, and a functional classification for this disorder is proposed. Clinical improvement in 4 of 5 patients who underwent UES myotomy for severe intractable dysphagia did not always correlate with improvement in manometric and cine studies.A small portion of this paper was presented at a session of the Northern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons in San Francisco in May 1974.     

Motility changes in primary achalasia following pneumatic dilatation

The changes in esophageal motility after pneumatic dilatation were evaluated prospectively in 51 patients with achalasia. The patients were evaluated for a median of 14 months. Pneumatic dilatation led to a clinical improvement in 41 patients. On manometric evaluation, a significant decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure was observed (28.4±14.9 mmHg vs. 13.5±7.2 mmHg; p=0.001); the resting pressure of the esophageal body dropped from 4.8±4.2 mmHg above gastric baseline to 0.1±3.9 mmHg below gastric baseline. After therapy, peristaltic activity was present in 10/51 (20%) patients; in 1 case, complete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter was recorded. Treatment-induced motility changes could not be predicted by clinical history or the lower esophageal sphincter pressure before or after therapy. However, the resting pressure of the esophageal body before and after therapy was significantly lower in these patients in whom peristalsis recurred after therapy than in patients with an unchanged motility pattern. The reappearance of peristaltic activity after pneumatic dilatation was unrelated to lower esophageal sphincter pressure. In conclusion, motility disturbances of the esophageal body in patients with achalasia do not simply reflect the functional obstruction of the lower esophageal sphincter. These findings support the hypothesis that achalasia is not a distinct motility disturbance but should be regarded as part of a broad spectrum of different interrelated esophageal motility disorders.     

Comparison of methods for evaluation of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation duration: Videofluoroscopic swallow study versus high-resolution manometry

This study aims to compare the 2 methods of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation measurement and determine which method has better diagnostic value in UES relaxation impairment The study included 140 patients with pharyngeal dysphagia who underwent both videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) and high-resolution manometry (HRM). Feeding method was determined to oral or non-oral feeding based on the severity of dysphagia; 103 patients were in oral feeding group and 37 were in non-oral feeding group. UES relaxation duration was measured using VFSS and HRM, respectively. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to validate the UES relaxation duration in determination of feeding method. UES relaxation duration was more decreased in non-oral feeding group than in oral feeding group on both VFSS and HRM. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff value of UES relaxation duration to determine feeding method (oral or non-oral feeding) was 0.42 seconds on VFSS and 0.44 seconds on HRM. The sensitivity for feeding method was higher in VFSS than HRM (83.5% vs 70.9%), while the specificity was higher in HRM than VFSS (48.6% vs 54.1%). VFSS and HRM have complementary ability in evaluating UES relaxation duration in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.     

Incomplete Upper Esophageal Sphincter Relaxation: Association with Achalasia but Not Other Esophageal Motility Disorders

Incomplete upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation is not well understood. We compared clinical and manometric characteristics of patients with normal and abnormal UES relaxation. Consecutive patients (n = 208) underwent manometric evaluation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), esophageal body, and UES/pharynx. The patients were divided into those with abnormal UES relaxation (residual pressure >6.7 mmHg) (n = 21) and normal relaxation (n = 187). Clinical and manometric profiles were compared. Sex, age, and presenting complaint did not correlate with UES relaxation. Normal esophageal peristaltic sequences were more frequently present in the normal UES group (73.6%) compared with the abnormal (55.8%) (p < 0.01). The UES relaxation was shorter in the group with abnormal relaxation (410.0 ms vs. 510.2 ms, p < 0.001). All other manometric parameters were not different between the two groups. When individual manometric diagnoses were analyzed, only achalasia was noted to be more common in the abnormal UES group (23.8% vs. 9.1%, p < 0.05), and a trend was noted toward diffuse esophageal spasm being more common (14.3% vs. 9.6%, not significant). We conclude that incomplete UES relaxation is a rare manometric finding, associated with achalasia and not specifically associated with any other motility disturbance. This finding may represent a secondary response to the poor esophageal emptying seen in achalasia.     

Manometric characteristics of the pharynx,upper esophageal sphincter,esophagus, and lower esophageal sphincter in patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy

Improved techniques in esophageal manometry have made this test an attractive option for investigating pharyngeal or esophageal disorders in patients with dysphagia. We studied esophageal as well as upper esophageal sphincter/pharyngeal (UES/P) pressure dynamics in 11 patients with an established diagnosis of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy with modern solidstate manometric techniques and then compared manometric and clinical findings. Esophageal manometric abnormalities were found in 10/11 patients, with the most common being simultaneous contractions and incomplete lower esophageal relaxation. 9/11 patients showed abnormal UES/P manometrics, with the most common abnormalities found in the pharynx. The presence of manometric abnormalities closely paralleled clinical assessment of degree of disease severity. Modern manometric techniques offer an opportunity for a quantitative assessment of swallow abnormalities.     

经口内镜下肌切开术对贲门失弛缓症患者食管动力的影响

目的探讨经口内镜下肌切开术(peroral endoscopic myotomy,POEM)初次治疗对贲门失弛缓症(achalasia,AC)患者术后食管动力的影响。方法纳入2012年1月至2016年6月期间于首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院就诊并行POEM治疗的AC患者,按研究设计完成各项检查、POEM治疗及随访观察,比较各型AC患者的POEM治疗成功率以及POEM治疗前后食管动力的改变。结果POEM术后6个月随访时,Ⅰ型AC患者的症状缓解率为100.0%(13/13),Ⅱ型为95.5%(42/44),Ⅲ型为90.1%(10/11)。与术前比较,术后1~6个月内下食管括约肌静息压[10.5(6.9,15.8)mmHg比24.6(18.3,35.1)mmHg,1 mmHg=0.133 kPa]、4 s整合松弛压[6.0(3.7,8.8)mmHg比21.8(15.3,28.0)mmHg]、上食管括约肌静息压[43.4(33.7,57.3)mmHg比45.3(33.2,71.1)mmHg]、上食管括约肌残余压[1.5(0.0,4.6)mmHg比3.9(1.1,6.9)mmHg]均明显改善(P均<0.05)。术后6个月,食管腔扩张的最宽直径较术前明显减小[(3.0±0.7)cm比(3.9±1.1)cm,P<0.001],总Eckardt评分较术前明显降低[1(0,2)分比6(5,8)分,P<0.001]。POEM术后,Ⅰ型AC患者食管体部均未出现蠕动恢复,Ⅱ型AC患者中有4例(9.1%,4/44)较术前恢复弱蠕动或期前收缩,Ⅲ型AC患者中10例(90.9%,10/11)较术前出现正常蠕动波、期前收缩或弱蠕动的比例增加。结论POEM术后不仅食管胃交界部流出道梗阻得到改善,而且食管体部动力也一定程度上发生改变,其中部分患者体部动力有一定恢复;但是这种变化在3个AC亚型表现不同,Ⅲ型最明显,其次是Ⅱ型,Ⅰ型则无明显改变。     

Manometric study in Kearns–Sayre syndrome

Although swallowing difficulties have been described in patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), the spectrum of manometric characteristics of dysphagia is not yet well known. Moreover, it is conceivable that a combination of various degrees of swallowing difficulties with different patterns in manometric studies exist, each playing a major role in the prognosis, natural history, and quality of life of KSS patients. An 18-year-old girl diagnosed at the age of 5 years with KSS (muscle biopsy) was admitted to our department with an upper respiratory tract infection and dysphagia. Clinical examination revealed growth retardation, external ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary retinopathy, impaired hearing, and ataxia. An electrocardiogram revealed cardiac conduction defects (long Q-T), and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormalities in the cerebellar hemispheres. A manometric and motility study for dysphagia was conducted and the pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) resting pressures were similar to control group values, but the swallowing peak contraction pressure of the pharynx and the closing pressure of the UES were very low and could not promote effective peristaltic waves. Relaxation and coordination of the UES were not affected although pharyngeal and upper esophagus peristaltic waves proved to be very low and, consequently, were practically ineffective. The patient was started on treatment comprising a diet rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and oral administration of vitamin D and co-enzyme Q10 100 mg daily; she was discharged 6 days later with apparent clinical improvement.     

Manometric characteristics of cervical dysphagia in a patient with the Kearns-Sayre syndrome.

The manometric findings of deglutitive pharyngoesophageal function in a patient with the Kearns-Sayre syndrome and cervical dysphagia are described. These findings indicate that striated muscles of the pharynx, upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and proximal esophagus are involved. Near absence of pharyngeal peristalsis, abnormally low UES resting pressure, and absence of proximal esophageal peristalsis characterize the manometric findings in this patient. It is conceivable that in mild cases, a combination of various degrees of severity of the above findings may exist.     

Aging-related alterations in human upper esophageal sphincter function

Recent improvements in manometric catheters have made measurement of pharyngeal (P) and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) swallowing mechanics more reliable. Few studies have attempted to evaluate the effect of normal aging on P and UES mechanics. Pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter dynamics were studied in 10 healthy elderly adults (age greater than 60; range 62-79 yr) and 10 younger adults (age less than 60; range 24-59 yr). A solid-state intraluminal transducer system was used with a proximal unidirectional Konigsberg microtransducer and a circumferential (sphincter) transducer located 5 cm distally. Mean resting UES pressure was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in the elderly than in the younger subjects (52 +/- 5 vs 72 +/- 6 (SE)) mm Hg. A significant inverse relation (R = -0.54; p less than 0.02) was found between age and resting UES pressure. Time from peak of pharyngeal contraction to UES nadir was significantly (p less than 0.05) shortened in the healthy elderly vs younger controls (10 +/- 30 vs 90 +/- 20 ms) during dry swallows. Our studies indicate that aging is associated with lower resting UES pressure and delayed UES relaxation, relative to the pharyngeal peak.     

Manometry of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharynx is not useful in unselected patients referred for esophageal testing

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether routinely performing upper esophageal sphincter/pharyngeal (UES/P) manometry in patients referred for esophageal testing alters clinical practice. METHODS: Clinical history along with radiography and manometry studies were reviewed in 470 patients referred for manometry. A total of 435 (92.6%) were found to have adequate evaluation of the UES/P and were included in the study. RESULTS: Of 435 studies, 80 (17.7%) had one or more UES/P abnormalities. Indications for these 80 studies were dysphagia in 30 cases (37.5%), chest pain in 26 (32.5%), both in four (5.0%), and other in 20 (25%). There were 85 manometric abnormalities in the 80 studies: hypertensive UES in 16 cases (18.8%), incomplete UES relaxation in 38 (44.7%), hypertensive pharynx in seven (8.2%), hypotensive pharynx in 15 (17.6%), and abnormal coordination in nine (10.6%). A total of 41 patients had a barium study, which was normal in 11 cases (26%), confirmed the problem in 16 (40%), and suggested another problem in 14 (34%). In 17 patients (21%), there was clinical suspicion for an oropharyngeal disorder before manometry, whereas in 58 cases it was an unexpected finding. Of the 58 patients with an unexpected finding, therapy based on this finding was offered in six (three esophageal dilations, two dietary changes, and one swallowing therapy). If patients with concomitant esophageal body disorders are excluded, in only three patients an unexpected UES finding led to change in management. CONCLUSIONS: An unexpected UES/P finding resulted in a change in therapy in only six of the manometries. Barium esophagogram was diagnostic of the oropharyngeal abnormality in nearly two-thirds of the patients in whom it was clinically suspected. These data, along with limited therapeutic options, suggest limited usefulness for routine UES/P manometry.     

Do patients with globus sensation respond to hypnotically assisted relaxation therapy? A case series report

Globus sensation is a bothersome and difficult symptom to treat. The aims of this study were to evaluate the acceptability and utility of hypnotically‐assisted relaxation (HAR) in decreasing the perception of globus sensation and the effect of HAR on interdeglutitive upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure. Sixteen subjects with persistent globus sensation unresponsive to therapy for reflux disease and with normal esophageal/laryngeal imaging studies were invited to participate in a 7‐session clinical protocol. Before and after HAR, subjects completed standard questionnaires including the esophageal symptoms questionnaire. High‐resolution manometric assessment of respiratory augmentation and average resting UES pressure were assessed before and after HAR. Ten of the 16 subjects agreed to participate in the protocol. All participants were women with median age 51.5 (range 30–72 years). The participants found HAR acceptable and completed the entire 7‐session trial. Globus symptom severity varied widely pre‐treatment (median = 52.5, range 16–72), and 9 of 10 subjects reported a reduction in globus symptomatology following treatment (median = 14.0, range 3–19; P = .007). Only 1 subject exhibited abnormal respiratory augmentation of UES pressure (>27 mm Hg) prior to treatment and was normal following treatment (9.9 mm Hg). Resting UES pressure was normal in all subjects (<118 mm Hg). Group respiratory augmentation and average resting UES pressure were unaffected by HAR (P = .48, .89). This case series suggests that HAR can provide a substantial improvement in globus sensation irrespective of cause. UES function was unaffected. We suggest that HAR therapy is an acceptable and useful intervention for patients with globus sensation.     

Pharyngeal/upper esophageal sphincter pressure dynamics in humans

Extensive physiological studies of swallowing have been carried out in laboratory animals; however, similar studies in humans have been limited by available technology. In this study we describe the use of a solid-state circumferential sphincter transducer to define manometric characteristics of the human pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Effects of pharmacologic agents and thermal stimulation are also described. We studied nine normal volunteers on three separate days. All studies were done in the upright position and consisted of a station pull-through of the UES and six wet swallows with the sphincter transducer in the most proximal segment of the UES and a posteriorly oriented single transducer 5 cm proximal in the pharynx. Baseline studies preceded all drug studies. Effects of bethanechol were studied on day 1, cold stimulation and benzonatate on day 2, edrophonium and atropine on day 3. The UES resting pressure showed large intrasubject day-to-day variations; however, mean values did not differ. There were no effects on UES relaxation or swallow coordination with any of the pharmacologic agents, although benzonatate produced multiple pharyngeal contractions.     

Simultaneous videoradiography and pharyngeal solid state manometry (videomanometry) in 25 nondysphagic volunteers

Recent technological advances in manometry, including solid state transducers and computerized analysis, allows for reliable interpretation of intraluminal pharyngeal pressures. Simultaneous videoradiography (barium swallow) provides fluoroscopic control of the manometric sensors (videomanometry), thereby eliminating the uncertainty of sensor dislocation during laryngeal elevation. This is the first study describing normal manometric parameters in videomanometry during barium swallow. Seven manometric parameters and six videoradiographic parameters were analyzed. We included 25 nondysphagic volunteers with normal videoradiographic parameters in the study. The examination was performed in an upright physiologic position during 10-ml barium and dry swallows. Mean resting pressure in the upper esophageal sphincter was 89.6±32.6 (±2 SD) mmHg. Mean residual pressure during relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter was 7.2±8.0 (±2 SD) mmHg during barium swallow and 3.8±6.2 (±2 SD) mmHg during dry swallow. The mean duration of upper esophageal sphincter relaxation was 601±248 (±2 SD) msec. The mean peristaltic contraction of the upper esophageal sphincter was 253.8±142.8 (±2 SD) mmHg. Fourteen (56%) of the 25 had a measurable intrabolus pressure (mean 33.2±17.3 mmHg) at the level of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor. A specific finding was discovered when the epiglottis tilts down hitting the manometric sensor. This epiglottic tilt was identified in 7 subjects (28%) and caused pressures of around 600 mmHg. A standardized manometric technique is important in videomanometry, and normal values as described in this study are essential in clinical use.     

Effect of head position on the dynamics of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharynx

Due to limitations in available technology it has been difficult to obtain data on upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and pharyngeal (P) function under varying physiologic conditions. We used a manometry system with solid-state intraluminal transducers, including a circumferential sphincter transducer, and computer analysis to measure pressure changes in UES and P during wet (5 ml H₂O) swallows as the head was moved through a 75 degree arc in nine normal volunteers. UES residual pressure increased markedly and duration of UES relaxation decreased with increasing head extension. Similar decreases were also seen with time between P peak and both UES nadir and UES end. There were no changes in either pharyngeal peak pressures or the duration of the pharyngeal contraction. Head extension produces major changes in UES relaxation and UES/P coordination. These effects may be clinically important when feeding neurologically impaired patients.     

Are Manometric Parameters of the Upper Esophageal Sphincter and Pharynx Affected by Age and Gender?

The effects of age and gender on the upper esophageal sphincters (UES) and pharyngeal manometric parameters were investigated in 84 healthy subjects (45 men, 39 women, mean age=44 years, range = 18–91). Manometric recordings were performed with solid-state circumferential transducers. Subjects older than 60 years (n = 23) showed a significant lower UES resting pressure. In addition, during water swallows they had a higher UES residual pressure, shorter UES relaxation interval and UES relaxation duration, and a decreased UES relaxation rate. Furthermore, pharyngeal contraction had significant higher amplitude and longer duration in subjects older than 60 years during water swallows. Some of these findings were also observed during cookie and pudding swallows. Women had a higher UES resting pressure and a longer UES relaxation interval than men. The observed changes with increasing age indicate loss of basal tone and decreased compliance of the UES. Increased pharyngeal contraction amplitude and its prolonged duration in the elderly might be compensatory to this. These physiologic effects of age and gender on UES and pharyngeal parameters should be taken into account during analysis of manometric studies. The first author was financially supported by the Netherlands Digestive and Disease Foundation and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).     

High resolution manometric findings in patients with Chagas' disease esophagopathy

ObjectiveTo describe high resolution manometry features of a population of symptomatic patients with Chagas' disease esophagopathy (CDE).MethodsSixteen symptomatic dysphagic patients with CDE [mean age (54.81±13.43) years, 10 women] were included in this study. All patients underwent a high resolution manometry.ResultsMean lower esophageal sphincter (LES) extension was (3.02±1.17) cm with a mean basal pressure of (15.25±7.00) mmHg. Residual pressure was (14.31±9.19) mmHg. Aperistalsis was found in all 16 patients. Achalasia with minimal esophageal pressurization (type 1) was present in 25% of patients and achalasia with esophageal compression (type 2) in 75%, according to the Chicago Classification. Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) mean basal pressure was (97.96±54.22) mmHg with a residual pressure of (12.95±6.42) mmHg.ConclusionsOur results show that LES was hypotensive or normotensive in the majority of the patients. Impaired relaxation was found in a minority of our patients. Aperistalsis was seen in 100% of patients. UES had impaired relaxation in a significant number of patients. Further clinical study is needed to investigate whether manometric features can predict outcomes following the studies of idiopathic achalasia.     

Influence of the viscosity of the swallowed food bolus on the motility of the pharynx

In 9 young men, healthy volunteers, we studied the effect of dry swallows, liquid and paste swallows on the pharyngeal motility. The viscosities of liquids and past were 200 centipoise (cP), 300 cP and 60000 cP, respectively. The bolus volume was 10 ml. For pharyngeal manometry we used two strain-gauge manometric probes taped together, so that a total of six transducers were staggered at 1.5 cm intervals. After its passage through the nose, the assembly was positioned so that all its transducers faced posteriorly, and manometric activity was recorded from oropharynx, hypopharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES). We also recorded infra-hyoid electromiographic activity. The amplitude and duration of the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal peristaltic pressure complex were not changed by the different boluses. The velocity of peristaltism propagation between oropharynx and UES was slower for paste than for liquids or dry swallows. The increased of viscosity was associated with longer duration of UES relaxation, and greater intrabolus pressure in hypopharynx and UES. The infra-hyoid electromiographic activity was longer for paste than for liquids or dry swallows. These findings suggest that pharyngeal motility is affected by the characteristics of the swallowed bolus.     

Effects of body position and bolus consistency on the manometric parameters and coordination of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharynx

The development of a solid-state intraluminal sphincter transducer has alleviated many of the problems associated with manometric studies of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and pharynx (P). We used this technology to study the effect of position (upright vs. supine) on resting UES pressures and the pressure dynamics of the UES/P complex during both wet and dry swallows in 11 normal volunteers and the effects of foods of different consistencies on the UES/P swallow dynamics in 10 normal volunteers. The UES/P coordination parameters were defined as the 15 time intervals that can be measured between any 2 of 6 pertinent points: the beginning, peak, and end of the pharyngeal contraction and the beginning, nadir, and end of the UES relaxation. Data from both the circumferential transducer used to measure sphincter pressures and a standard microtransducer used to measure pharyngeal pressures were collected on-line by an Apple IIe microcomputer and analyzed by programs written in our laboratory. Significant changes in swallow coordination were measured between upright and supine swallows of the same bolus size, between wet and dry swallows in the same position, and among foods of varying consistencies. Resting UES pressure was unchanged by position and pharyngeal contraction pressure was unchanged by bolus size or consistency.