Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal Manometry

The purpose of Motility Testing is to measure the pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter, the pressure and coordination of the body of the esophagus, and the upper esophageal sphincter pressure and relaxation.

The test is performed for patients with swallowing problems, atypical chest pain, or long-standing esophageal reflux.

What to Expect

The esophageal manometry procedure will only take about 15 minutes. The medical staff will use a cream to numb the inside of your nose to make it more comfortable for you. Once the nose is numbed, A small, thin tube will be inserted through your nose. It will go down through your esophagus and all the way to your stomach. It is lubricated and very flexible so it will pass easily. The tube has different sensors located at different points along its length. They will measure your LES and the strength of your esophageal muscles. As the tube is removed, the doctor may ask you to swallow at certain times.

Even though the procedure is painless, you may feel a little discomfort while it goes down your throat. You may also feel like gagging. You may produce more saliva than normal or your eyes might water a little. Your nose might bleed just a little. Getting the tube into the right position only takes a minute and it will be less uncomfortable after it is in place. You will still be able to breathe normally while the tube is in place.

DOWNLOAD ESOPHAGEAL MANOMETRY PREP

What preparation is required?

You will want to have an empty stomach for the safest and best exam. Do not eat or drink anything for six hours before the test.

What about my current medications?

Discuss your current prescription and over-the-counter medications with your healthcare professional. They will need to know if you regularly take homeopathic remedies, natural supplements or recreational marijuana. Some medications can affect esophageal pressure and the contracting muscles needed to swallow. They may recommend that you stop taking some medications prior to testing.

Some medications that may affect the test results include:

  • Sedatives
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Nitroglycerin products
  • Nitrate products

What if the Esophageal Manometry shows something abnormal?

The results of an esophageal manometry will be evaluated by your physician. They will be able to interpret the information and diagnose any swallowing or LES issues. If the results are normal, then your esophageal muscles and LES are working properly. An abnormal result indicates a problem. Possible problems detected from an esophageal manometry include:

  • Abnormal contractions of esophageal muscles
  • Achalasia – the LES doesn’t open properly to allow food through
  • Hypertensive LES
  • Scleroderma – an autoimmune disease which can paralyze esophageal muscles
  • Esophageal spasms
  • Nutcracker esophagus – swallowing contractions are too powerful
  • Weak LES

If you have abnormal results, your physician will discuss your results and a treatment plan at your next appointment. In some cases, they will need to schedule follow-up testing or appointments.

What happens after an Esophageal Manometry?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you can resume normal activities, meals and medications you stopped prior to the testing. You may have a few minor side effects following an Esophageal Manometry. These may include minor nosebleeds, sinus irritation, coughing and a sore throat. Gargling with salt water or using throat lozenges can provide relief for an irritated throat. A saline nasal spray can help relieve stuffy sinuses.

Serious side effects are rare. But if you experience any unusual symptoms such as severe reflux, shortness of breath, bloody sputum, arrhythmia, vomiting or fever, contact your doctor immediately.

 

What are the possible complications of Esophageal Manometry?

Any medical procedure has certain risks. It is extremely rare to experience serious side effects from an esophageal manometry. You may experience an irregular heartbeat. Other complications include possible aspiration where the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus where they are breathed into the lungs. A perforation or hole in the esophagus is rare. The tube may be misdirected into the windpipe as it is being inserted into the esophagus. There are many precautions in place to help prevent these types of risks. As with most medical procedures, the benefits outweigh the possible risks.

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What Our Patients Are Saying

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Weber for almost a decade. My husband for more than & it was he who recommended Dr. Weber. He’s knowledgeable & well experienced in his field. Plus he’s an all around kind & nice guy. And you’d like how the office & tech staff are trained to run the operation of this practice. Efficient, patient and helpful! I’d feel very comfortable recommending this practice.

Vicki M.

I had a great time. Everyone was very friendly and professional. One nurse said I had nice eyes, which really helped my self esteem. Dr. Willie was fantastic. His concern about having magenta ink for the printer really shows what a caring man he is. The pictures turned out great. I framed them and hung them up on my wall at home. But, seriously the experience was pleasant. Thank you to everyone involved.

Terry M.

Lord knows having a colonoscopy is zero fun. The prep nearly did me in. But after arriving at suite 270 every single person was pleasant and efficient. The attention to cleanliness in the office is very apparent and appreciated. Every employee introduced themselves by name, apologized for an IV that took two tries and made sure I was as comfortable as can be before I was ready to leave. However, I’m going to enjoy every minute of the five years before I need to return!

Marie C.

I have been here several times and have always been treated great. The receptionist are so kind and the nurses are wonderful so is the anesthesia person are so kind and answers any concerns you might have. My Dr Bologna is awesome. This is the place to go if you need endoscopy or colonoscopy. Thank all the staff for being so kind

Debbie A.

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Freeha Khan MD

Partha S. Nandi

Leonard G. Quallich III MD

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?
If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.
What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised. 

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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