Durability of Esophageal Motor Disorders Identified on High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry: A Case Series

Diagnosis of esophageal motor disorders using high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) may result in medical, endoscopic or surgical intervention. However, prior to any intervention, durability of the HREM findings should be established. The aim of this case series was to assess 25 patients who had undergone HREM twice, at least 6 months apart, and to determine the durability of the initial manometric diagnosis.

This is a case series of 25 patients who underwent HREM at least twice, 6 months apart, at a large safety net hospital. All patients were evaluated in between the tests for any clinical intervention. Demographics, patients' indication for HREM and clinical presentation were documented as well.

Of the 25 patients, HREM results improved in 32%, worsened in 20% and were unchanged in 48%. Some interventions were employed between the first and second HREM diagnosis. Those associated with an improved diagnosis included doubling the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dose, re-starting a PPI, adding a histamine 2 blocker (H2 blocker) and use of empiric dilation.

In this case series, about half of the patients undergoing two esophageal manometries, at least 6 months apart, demonstrated lack of durability of their initially diagnosed esophageal motor disorder.