Esophageal manometry

During esophageal manometry, a thin, pressure-sensitive tube is passed through your nose, down the esophagus, and into your stomach. This test is done in a hospital or outpatient center by a specially trained doctor called a gastroenterologist. Before the procedure, you receive numbing medicine inside the nose. This…

You should not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. If you have the test in the morning, Do not eat or drink after midnight. Tell your health care provider about all medicines you are taking. These include vitamins, herbs, and other over-the-counter medicines and supplements.

You may have a gagging sensation and discomfort when the tube passes through your nose and throat. You may also feel discomfort in your nose and throat during the test.

The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth into the stomach. When you swallow, muscles in your esophagus squeeze (contract) to push food toward the stomach. Valves, or sphincters, inside the esophagus open to let food and liquid through. They then close to prevent food, fluids, and stomach acid from…

The LES pressure and muscle contractions are normal when you swallow.

Abnormal results may indicate: A problem with the esophagus that affects its ability to move food toward the stomach ( achalasia ) A weak LES, which causes heartburn (GERD) Abnormal contractions of the esophagus muscles that do not effectively move food to the stomach ( esophageal spasm )

Risks of this test include: Slight nosebleed Sore throat Hole or perforation in the esophagus (this rarely happens)

Pandolfino JE, Kahrilas PJ. Esophageal neuromuscular function and motility disorders. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 44. Richter JE, Vaezi MF. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Feldman M,…