Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry clarifies esophageal function abnormalities: study in 350 patients

BACKGROUND: Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry (MII-EM) is a technique that uses an FDA-approved device allowing simultaneous evaluation of bolus transit (MII) in relation to pressure changes (EM). METHODS: During a 9-month period, beginning from July 2002 through March 2003, we prospectively performed combined MII-EM on all patients referred for esophageal function testing. Each patient received 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows. Manometric findings were reported based on criteria described by Spechler and Castell for liquid swallows. MII findings were reported as having normal bolus transit if >/=80% (8/10) of liquid and >/=70% (7/10) of viscous swallows had complete bolus transit. RESULTS: Three-hundred fifty studies were evaluated from patients with a variety of symptoms having the following manometric diagnoses: normal manometry (125), achalasia (24), scleroderma (4), ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) (71), distal esophageal spasm (DES) (33), nutcracker esophagus (30), hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (25), hypotensive LES (5), and poorly relaxing LES (33). None of the patients with achalasia and scleroderma had normal bolus transit. Fifty-one percent of patients with IEM and 55% of patients with DES had normal bolus transit while almost all (more than 95%) patients with normal esophageal manometry, nutcracker esophagus, poorly relaxing LES, hypertensive LES, and hypotensive LES had normal bolus transit. Dysphagia occurred most often in patients with incomplete bolus transit on MII testing. CONCLUSION: Esophageal body pressures primarily determine bolus transit with isolated LES abnormalities appearing to have little effect on esophageal function. MII clarifies functional abnormalities in patients with abnormal manometric studies.     

Clarification of the esophageal function defect in patients with manometric ineffective esophageal motility: studies using combined impedance-manometry.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) and manometry (MII-EM) recently became available as an esophageal function test. Initial studies in healthy volunteers have shown that a proportion of ineffective contractions actually have complete bolus transit. The aim of our study is to evaluate esophageal bolus transit in patients with manometric patterns of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). METHODS: All patients referred for esophageal function testing during a 9-month period underwent combined MII-EM studies, including 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows. IEM is defined as >or=30% liquid swallows with contraction amplitude <30 mm Hg in the distal esophagus. Diagnosis of esophageal transit abnormalities is defined as abnormal bolus transit if >or=30% of liquid and >or=40% of viscous swallows had incomplete bolus transit. RESULTS: Seventy patients (35 women; mean age, 54 yr; range, 17-86 yr) with a manometric diagnosis of IEM were identified of a total of 350 combined MII-EM studies. In these patients, 68% of liquid and 59% of viscous swallows showed normal bolus transit, and almost one third of patients received an overall diagnosis of normal bolus transit for both liquid and viscous swallows. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with combined MII-EM in patients with a manometric diagnosis of IEM confirms the suspicion that "effectiveness" should only be determined by using a test of esophageal function. Furthermore, we believe our results support a conclusion that a higher level of esophageal diagnostic information is best obtained by combined MII-EM. Future outcome studies should establish its value in patients with nonobstructive dysphagia and in prefundoplication assessment.     

Revised criterion for diagnosis of ineffective esophageal motility is associated with more frequent dysphagia and greater bolus transit abnormalities

BACKGROUND: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) has been defined by the presence of > or = 30% liquid swallows with contraction amplitude < 30 mmHg (ineffective swallows) in the distal esophagus ("old" IEM). A recent study with combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) raised the question whether the manometric diagnosis of IEM should be based on a new definition: > or = 50% ineffective liquid swallows ("new" IEM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the number of ineffective liquid swallows and symptoms and bolus transit in patients with "new" or "old" IEM who underwent MII-EM studies using 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 150 patients with "old" IEM included in the study. The patients diagnosed with "old" IEM (N = 150) (group A) were compared with those who retained a manometric diagnosis of IEM by the new definition (N = 101) (group B). The patients who did not retain their manometric diagnosis of IEM by the new definition (N = 49) (group C) were compared with group B. IEM was characterized as mild (normal bolus transit for both liquid and viscous swallows), moderate (abnormal bolus transit either for liquid or viscous swallows), or severe (abnormal bolus transit for both liquid and viscous swallows). RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in frequency of mild, moderate, or severe IEM and frequency of symptoms between group A and B. Group C had a significantly higher frequency of mild IEM and significantly lower frequency of severe IEM than group B. Heartburn (25.7%vs 10.2%, P= 0.03) and dysphagia (24.8%vs 12.3%, P= 0.08) showed a trend towards a greater frequency in group B than in group C. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that IEM with > or = 50% ineffective liquid swallows is frequently associated with bolus transit abnormalities and esophageal symptoms. Our results underscore the rationale for using the new definition of IEM.     

Esophageal function testing with combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry: multicenter study in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) assesses esophageal function by simultaneous measurement of both pressure and bolus transit. Normative data for this method have not been published. The aim of this study was to establish normative data for combined MII-EM and to correlate liquid and viscous bolus transit by impedance with esophageal contractions by manometry. METHODS: Forty-three normal volunteers recruited from 4 centers (15 women, 28 men; age range, 21-72 years) underwent combined MII-EM with a catheter containing 4 impedance-measuring segments and 4 solid-state pressure transducers. Each center recruited and analyzed subjects independently, according to pre-established criteria. Each subject received 20 x 5 mL swallows, 10 liquid and 10 viscous material. Tracings were analyzed manually for bolus presence time, bolus head advance time, segmental transit times, total bolus transit time, contraction amplitude, duration, and onset velocity. RESULTS: Ninety-seven and four-tenths percent of manometrically normal liquid and 96.1% of manometrically normal viscous swallows had complete bolus transit by impedance. Almost half (47.2%) of manometrically ineffective liquid and 34.7% of ineffective viscous swallows had complete bolus transit, whereas 91.7% of manometric simultaneous liquid swallows and 54.5% of simultaneous viscous swallows had complete bolus transit. More than 93% of normal individuals had at least 80% complete liquid or at least 70% complete viscous bolus transit. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes normative data for combined MII-EM. Combined MII-EM may be a more sensitive tool in assessing esophageal function compared to standard manometry because impedance can distinguish different bolus transit patterns. Studies in patients with manometrically defined esophageal motility abnormalities should help clarify the functional importance of manometric ineffective and simultaneous swallows.     

Regional Esophageal Dysfunction in Scleroderma and Achalasia using Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and Manometry

Background Achalasia and scleroderma are esophageal motility abnormalities characterized by severely impaired bolus transit. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) enables the simultaneous measurement of intraesophageal pressures and bolus transit at various levels within the esophagus. Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate and characterize regional pressure and transit profile differences in scleroderma and achalasia patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out of MII-EM studies of patients with scleroderma (15), achalasia (20), and poorly relaxing lower esophageal sphincter (LES) with normal esophageal body function (20) as a control group. Bolus presence and segmental transit were evaluated by MII. Results In patients with achalasia, bolus transit was impaired across all four sites compared with scleroderma (P < 0.0125) even though distal esophageal pressures were higher (P < 0.05) in patients with achalasia. Pressures in patients with achalasia were similar across all four sites (ANOVA; saline, P = 0.373; viscous, P = 0.615). Bolus clearance rates and contraction amplitudes in patients with scleroderma decreased from proximal to distal. In the control group, bolus clearance was complete during ≥83% of all swallows and esophageal pressure amplitudes increased distally. Conclusion While the overall bolus transit is impaired in both patients with achalasia and scleroderma regional pressure and bolus transit differences exist. Bolus transit abnormalities result from abnormal esophageal body contraction and not abnormal LES relaxation.     

Comparison of bolus transit patterns identified by esophageal impedance to barium esophagram in patients with dysphagia

Bolus transit through the esophagus has not been validated by videoesophagram in patients with dysphagia and changes in impedance with abnormal barium transit have not been described in those patients. The aim of this study was to compare esophageal impedance findings with barium esophagram measurements in patients with dysphagia. The consecutive patients with dysphagia underwent conventional multichannel esophageal impedance manometry, after which a barium videoesophagram was performed simultaneously with multichannel esophageal impedance manometry using a mean of three swallows of barium. Esophageal emptying patterns shown in the esophagogram were classified by the degree of intraesophageal stasis and presence of intraesophageal reflux. Bolus transit patterns in impedance were classified as complete and incomplete transit. Sixteen patients (M : F = 8 : 8, mean age, 47 years) were enrolled. Their manometric diagnosis were normal (n= 6), ineffective esophageal motility (n= 1), diffuse esophageal spasm (DES; n= 2), and achalasia (n= 7). Sixty‐three swallows were analyzed. According to impedance analysis, 21/22 swallows with normal barium emptying showed complete transit (96%) and 31/32 swallows with severe stasis showed incomplete transit (97%). Nine swallows with mild stasis showed either complete or incomplete transit patterns in impedance. Swallows with mild barium stasis and complete transit in impedance were observed in patients who had received treatment (two patients with achalasia with history of esophageal balloonplasty and a patient with DES after nifedipine administration). Impedance reflected severe stasis with retrograde barium movement and described typical bolus transit patterns in patients with achalasia and DES. In conclusion, impedance‐barium esophagram concordance is high for swallows with normal esophageal emptying and for severe barium stasis in patients with dysphagia.     

Symptom and function heterogenicity among patients with distal esophageal spasm: studies using combined impedance-manometry

BACKGROUND: Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry (MII-EM) is a clinically available tool that assesses the functional defect of various manometric abnormalities. The aim of our study was to evaluate esophageal bolus transit in patients with manometrically defined distal esophageal spasm (DES). METHODS: Patients referred for esophageal function testing underwent combined MII-EM studies including 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows. Individual swallows were classified using previously published manometric and impedance criteria. DES is traditionally defined as > or =20% simultaneous contractions in the distal esophagus. Diagnosis of esophageal transit abnormalities was defined by the presence of > or =30% incomplete liquid or > or =40% incomplete viscous swallows. RESULTS: Data from 71 patients (43 female, mean age 57 yr, range 16-85) with a manometric diagnosis of DES were analyzed. During liquid swallows, patients with chest pain had higher (p < 0.05) distal esophageal amplitudes (202.3 +/- 34.5 mmHg) and a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of swallows with complete bolus transit (89%+/- 3%) compared to patients presenting with dysphagia (amplitude 117.8 +/- 8.7 mmHg; percentage of complete transit 69%+/- 5%) and patients with reflux symptoms (amplitude 116.4 +/- 12.7 mmHg; percentage of complete transit 74%+/- 5%). Fifty-one percent of the DES patients had a normal bolus transit for liquid and viscous, 24% abnormal bolus transit for one substance, and 25% abnormal bolus transit for liquid and viscous. CONCLUSION: Pressure and bolus transit information in patients with manometrically defined DES points toward heterogenicity of this group of patients. Outcomes data are warranted to evaluate whether stratifying DES patients based on pressure and bolus transit information may improve the clinical approach.     

Multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring in the evaluation of patients with non-obstructive Dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Non-obstructive dysphagia (NOD) often poses diagnostic problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of the addition of multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) recording to esophageal manometry in the work-up of patients with NOD. METHODS: A total of 40 consecutive patients with NOD underwent combined esophageal MII recording and perfusion manometry. Ten liquid and 10 viscous boluses were tested in each patient. Values for bolus presence time (BPT) at each of the four recording sites and total bolus transit time (TBTT) were calculated. Bolus transit (BT) was considered to be normal when BPT at all sites and TBTT were within the normal limits defined in 42 healthy subjects. Patients were judged to have normal transit if >or=80% of liquid and >or=70% of viscous swallows showed normal transit. RESULTS: The following manometric diagnoses were made: normal motility (20), ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) (13), diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) (4), and achalasia (3). Abnormal transit for liquid and/or viscous boluses was found in 35.3% of patients with normal motility, in 66.7% of DES patients, and in 100% of achalasia patients. In patients with achalasia quantification of BT was often made impossible by low initial impedance baseline. Two IEM patients (15.4%) showed normal liquid and viscous transit. Swallows showing normal transit had significantly longer duration of LES relaxation in patients with normal manometry and IEM (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MII recording identifies esophageal function abnormalities in NOD patients with normal manometry, IEM, and DES. The MII technique seems to be less suitable for the most severe end of the dysphagia spectrum like achalasia.     

Assessment of esophageal motor function using combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry in healthy volunteers: a single-center study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) allow simultaneous measurement of both pressure and bolus transit. The aim of this study was to establish normative data in Chinese subjects for combined MII-EM and to correlate liquid and viscous bolus transit by impedance with esophageal contractions by manometry. METHODS: Eighteen normal volunteers (six women and 12 men; mean age 24 years, range 19-36 years) underwent combined MII-EM with a catheter containing four impedance-measuring segments and five solid-state pressure transducers. Each subject received 10 liquid and 10 viscous material swallows of 5 mL each. Tracings were analyzed for bolus presence time, total bolus transit time, contraction amplitude, duration, and onset velocity. RESULTS: A total of 180 liquid and viscous swallow responses were analyzed. In all, 98.4% percent of manometrically normal liquid and 97.7% of manometrically normal viscous swallows had complete bolus transit by impedance. More than half (56.3%) of manometrically ineffective liquid and 50% of ineffective viscous swallows had complete bolus transit. Nearly 90% of normal individuals had at least 70% complete liquid bolus transit while more than 90% of normal individuals had at least 70% complete viscous bolus transit. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes normative data for combined MII-EM in a healthy Chinese population. These data will help provide impedance application in esophageal function testing with a reference range that could be utilized by future studies or clinical practices involving Chinese subjects.     

Esophageal scintigraphy to quantitate esophageal transit (quantitation of esophageal transit).

None of the tests employed currently to investigate esophageal transit is quantitative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate normal subjects and patients with a variety of esophageal disorders using a scintigraphic technique to quantitate esophageal transit. After oral administration of a bolus of water labeled with 99mTc-sulfur colloid, isotopic count rates were measured over the esophagus employing a gamma-camera on line to a digital computer. Esophageal transit was expressed as the percent emptying for each of the first 15-sec after the initial swallow and for 15-sec intervals after serial swallows. Sixty-two subjects were studied, including: normal volunteers; patients with motor disorders of the esophagus such as achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, and scleroderma; and patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux both with and without esophageal motor dysfunction on manometic testing. Esophageal transit was decreased significantly after single and multiple swallows in patients with motor disorders of the esophagus. In addition, esophageal transit was abnormal in patients with reflux disease accompanied by abnormal motor function. In contrast, esophageal transit was normal after a single swallow, but incomplete after serial swallows in patients with reflux associated with normal esophageal motor function on manometry. We conclude that esophageal scintigraphy may be used to evaluate esophageal transit.     

Impedance manometry with viscous test solution increases detection of esophageal function defects compared to liquid swallows

OBJECTIVE: Multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) is performed using ten 5-ml swallows each of a liquid and a viscous solution. However, the manometric diagnosis is based solely on results from the 10 liquid swallows. The aim of this study was to compare esophageal function evaluated with 10 liquid versus 10 viscous swallows using combined MII-EM in patients with various symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive studies performed in 300 patients (211F, mean age 54.5 years) were analyzed. The manometric diagnoses were separated into normal and abnormal manometry. MII findings included the number of complete and incomplete transits and total bolus transit time. RESULTS: Manometric diagnosis for liquid and viscous solutions was consistent in 231 (77%) and inconsistent in 69 (23%) patients (p<0.0001). Overall, the number of manometric abnormalities detected with the viscous solution (n=91, 30.3%) was significantly higher (p=0.03) than that detected with the liquid solution (n=60, 20%). Impedance diagnosis for the viscous and liquid solutions was consistent in 238 (79.3%) patients and inconsistent in 62 (20.7%) patients (p<0.0001). Among those 62 patients, 36 (58.1%) had complete bolus transit with the liquid solution and incomplete bolus transit with the viscous solution, and 26 (41.9%) had incomplete bolus transit with the liquid solution and complete transit with the viscous solution (p=0.46). Overall, there was no significant difference between the number of bolus transit abnormalities for the liquid (n=75, 25%) and viscous solutions (n=85, 28.3%, p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that a viscous solution detects significantly more manometric abnormalities than a liquid solution. Impedance diagnosis has greater similarity for both the liquid and viscous solutions.     

The relationship between ineffective esophageal motility and gastro-esophageal reflux disease]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is a distinct manometric entity characterized by a hypocontractile esophagus. Recently, IEM replaced the nonspecific esophageal motility disorder (NEMD), and its associations with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and respiratory symptoms are well known. We evaluated the relationship of IEM with GERD, and the diagnostic value of IEM for GERD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed recent 3-year (Jan. 1998-Sep. 2002) datas of esophageal manometry, acid perfusion test and simultaneous 24 hr-ambulatory pH-metry with manometry studies in 270 consecutive patients with esophageal and/or GERD symptoms. The prevalence of IEM in GERD group and non-GERD group, and the variables of pH-metry and manometry among esophageal motility disorders were compared. In addition, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of IEM, esophageal symptom, and acid perfusion test for GERD were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in IEM prevalence rate between GERD group and non-GERD group. In addition, there was no significant difference in GERD prevalence rate and esophageal acid clearance in variety of motility disorder groups. Total percent time of pH <4 in IEM group did not show any difference when compared with other groups except in the achalasia group. In regard of diagnostic value to detect GERD, all positive results showed high specificity (97%) in IEM with esophageal symptom and positive acid perfusion test. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of IEM using esophageal manometry in patients with various esophageal symptoms does not strongly suggest on association with GERD. However, IEM with concomitant esophageal symptoms and positive acid perfusion test has diagnostic values for GERD.     

Manometry and radiology. Complementary studies in the assessment of esophageal motility disorders

The relationship between radiological and manometric findings in esophageal motility disorders is poorly understood. Therefore, 20 subjects (4 normal; 13 diffuse spasm; 3 other motility disorders) were studied using synchronous manometry and videofluoroscopy with alternate 5-ml and 10-ml barium swallows. A total of 181 swallows were analyzed. Concordance between manometry and fluoroscopy was excellent for individual swallows (98%), groups of 5 swallows (97%), and final diagnoses (90%). Contraction onset intervals less than 0.8 s apart over 5 cm (velocity greater than 6.25 cm/s) were critical in determining abnormal bolus transit (98% sensitivity and positive predictive value). Radiologically, segmental tertiary activity (complete luminal obliteration) was always associated with disrupted primary peristalsis, but nonsegmental tertiary activity was often seen with normal bolus transit and did not have a specific manometric correlate. Four patterns of interrupted peristalsis radiologically were found--segmental tertiary contractions, a generalized esophageal contraction, absence of motor activity, or discoordinated "to-and-fro" movement. Surprisingly, nearly complete barium clearance occurred by the first two mechanisms in two thirds of swallows. Thus, the authors believe radiology and manometry are both excellent studies for identifying abnormal esophageal peristalsis. In difficult cases, these tests give complementary information because radiology assesses bolus movement while manometry provides quantitative pressure data.     

Impedance detected abnormal bolus transit in patients with normal esophageal manometry. Sensitive indicator of esophageal functional abnormality?

SUMMARY. When used in combination with manometry, multichannel intraluminal impedance better characterizes the established manometric abnormalities into those with and without associated transit defects. However, the significance of the finding of normal manometry and abnormal impedance is not known. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical relevance of abnormal impedance associated with normal manometry during esophageal function testing in patients with a variety of esophageal symptoms. All patients referred for esophageal function testing during a 27‐month period underwent combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry studies including 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows in supine position. From 576 patients with normal esophageal body manometry we identified 158 patients (27%) with abnormal impedance. The primary symptom in these 158 patients was compared to that in 146 consecutive patients with normal manometry and normal impedance selected from the original 576 patients. Abnormal bolus transit was found with viscous, liquid and both type swallows in 60%, 19% and 21% of the patients respectively. Of patients with abnormal bolus transit, 23% presented with dysphagia compared to 10% of normal transit patients (p = 0.0035). In conclusion, abnormal impedance even in patients with normal manometry may be a sensitive indicator of esophageal functional abnormality as represented by the symptom of dysphagia in these patients. Abnormal transit was more frequently identified with viscous than liquid swallows. Prospective studies to further clarify impedance detected transit defects in patients with normal manometry and the role of viscous swallows in diagnostic testing are warranted.     

Multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry data for unrestricted swallowing: establishing normal values

SUMMARY.    Standard esophageal manometric testing evaluates swallowing in the supine position using small boluses, with a recovery period imposed between swallows. Manometric tests of more physiologic unrestricted swallowing have had limited practical application due to highly variable results. The purpose of this study is to apply multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) to test esophageal function during unrestricted upright meal consumption, and to assess results in a normal healthy population. Ten healthy volunteers with normal esophageal impedance and manometry by published criteria underwent MII-EM testing using a combined 5-channel catheter. After transnasal placement of the catheter, each subject sat upright and consumed a meal that consisted of two pieces of toasted bread and two ounces of Gatorade. There were no restrictions placed on chewing, swallowing, or eating time. All data assessed by the MII-EM meal test were normally distributed. Impedance results with limited variability included the meal duration, number of swallows, postprandial emptying time and the percent of bolus presence times at 15, 10, and 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. Manometric results with limited variability included the number of peristaltic sequences, mean time between these sequences and their distal esophageal amplitudes. MII-EM can be used to collect data with minimal variability in healthy subjects during unrestricted upright meal consumption. This technique may be used to identify abnormal motility patterns during physiologic swallowing.     

Manometry and impedance characteristics of achalasia. Facts and myths

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is defined manometrically by an aperistaltic esophagus. Variations in the manometric findings occur in achalasia suggesting that all manometric features should not be required to diagnose achalasia. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry (MII-EM) allows both a functional and a manometric evaluation of esophageal motility and identifies chronic fluid retention. AIM: To compare manometric and MII characteristics in patients with achalasia. METHODS: Retrospective review of 73 MII-EM tracings from patients with achalasia done in our laboratory between October 2001 and December 2004 (38 females; mean age=53.5 y). Patients with previous esophageal interventions were excluded. Manometric and MII characteristics were identified and compared during 10 liquid and 10 viscous swallows. Patients were also divided into 2 groups: vigorous achalasia (VA) and achalasia. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the seventy-one (31%) achalasia patients had a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) for the 71 patients with achalasia was 37.9+/-21.2 mm Hg compared with 27.3+/-9.3 mm Hg (P<0.05) in the 73 patients with normal motility. The mean LESP in patients with achalasia was 36+/-20.3 mm Hg compared with 47+/-23.2 mm Hg (P<0.05) in patients with VA. Elevated intraesophageal pressure (IEP) was noted in 45/73 (61.6%). The mean LESP in this group was 41.1+/-22.9 mm Hg compared with 32.5+/-17 mm Hg (P<0.05) with normal IEP. The mean baseline impedance for achalasia was 801+/-732 compared with 1265.2+/-829.5 Omega (P<0.05) for the VA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with achalasia have elevated IEP, elevated LES residual pressure, normal LES pressure, and low baseline impedance. All manometric features should not be required to diagnose achalasia. Patients with an elevated IEP are likely to have an elevated LES pressure and LES residual pressure. Low MII values identify chronic fluid retention and helps confirm the diagnosis.     

Technological insights： Combined impedance manometry for esophageal motility testing-current results and further implications

INTRODUCTION The basic function of the esophagus is the transport of the bolus from the pharynx into the stomach. Esophageal peristalsis is based on propulsive mechanisms along the axis of the organ, generated by a latency gradient that is modulated by th…     

Impedance characteristics of esophageal motor function in achalasia

Detailed data on patterns of esophageal bolus transport in patients with achalasia are still lacking. To study these we applied the novel technique of multichannel intraluminal impedance measurements. Ten patients with achalasia were studied using a 16 channel system. Liquid and semisolid boluses of 10 mL were applied with the patients in a supine position. Patterns of bolus transport were determined and analyzed as compared to results obtained from 20 healthy subjects. The healthy subjects featured a unique typical primary peristalsis pattern independent of bolus viscosity. In contrast, achalasia patients demonstrated different impedance characteristics, including: (i) significantly lower baseline esophageal impedance during the resting state as compared with healthy volunteers (999 omega +/- 108 versus 2749 omega +/- 113); (ii) failed bolus transport through the esophagus in all cases; (iii) impedance evidence of luminal content regurgitation in 35% of the swallows (iv) impedance evidence of pathological air movement within the proximal esophagus during deglutition in 38% of the swallows, so called air trapping. Thus, impedance characteristics of achalasia have been defined and can be attributed to known symptoms of achalasia. They can be used as basic findings for further classification of pathological bolus transports in other esophageal motility disorders.     

The effect of mosapride on esophageal motility and bolus transit in asymptomatic volunteers

GOALS: To evaluate the effect of mosapride, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 agonist, on esophageal motility and bolus transit in asymptomatic volunteers. STUDY: Twenty healthy subjects participated in two experiments, 7 days apart, and we utilized a randomized, double-blind cross-over design with 3-day pretreatments of placebo or mosapride. All subjects underwent combined intraluminal impedance manometry. RESULTS: There was no difference in the amplitude, the duration, and the esophageal peristaltic patterns between the two pretreatments. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and the number of transient LES relaxations did not change after mosapride vs. placebo. However, the rate of complete bolus transit in liquid swallows was higher with mosapride pretreatment (92.2%) than with placebo (84.6%; P < 0.01). The total bolus transit time in all liquid swallows showed a tendency to shorten after mosapride treatment (P = 0.06). The liquid bolus transit became faster after mosapride, especially in manometrically ineffective liquid swallows (P < 0.01). The total bolus transit time for manometrically normal viscous swallows decreased after pretreatment with mosapride (7.7 seconds; range, 6.8-9.2) in comparison with placebo (8.1 seconds; range, 7.1-11.1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mosapride increases the rate of complete bolus transit in the esophagus, and enhances esophageal bolus transit in asymptomatic volunteers.     

Normal values for manometry performed with swallows of viscous test material

OBJECTIVE: Esophageal function testing with combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) is performed using ten 5-ml liquid and viscous swallows. Diagnosis of bolus transit abnormalities identified by impedance is based on both liquid and viscous swallows. Manometric diagnosis is based solely on liquid swallows. The aim of this study was to establish the normal values for manometry performed with a viscous bolus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MII-EM studies performed in 80 healthy volunteers were analyzed. The analyzed manometric parameters included contraction amplitude and duration, distal onset velocity and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) residual pressure. RESULTS: Mean distal esophageal amplitude (DEA) (mmHg) for liquid swallows was 104 (+/-44) and for viscous swallows 102 (+/-51). Viscous versus liquid swallows were characterized by higher contraction amplitudes at 10 cm above the LES, slower distal onset velocities and higher LES residual pressures. Duration of contractions was similar between liquid and viscous swallows. Upper normal limits for viscous swallows were: 204 mmHg for DEA (mean+/-2 SDs); 6 ineffective and 1 simultaneous swallows and 11.7 mmHg for LES residual pressure (95th percentile). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, the following values should be considered normal for manometry performed with viscous swallows: 相似文献