Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
12:00
Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines
Published on: January 27, 2016
Clinical value of esophageal motility testing
A J DiMarino1, M L Allen, R B Lynn
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa., USA.
Digestive Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 10, 1998
Summary
Esophageal motility testing is valuable for dysphagia but less so for noncardiac chest pain or GERD. Its clinical utility varies depending on the patient's primary esophageal symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Esophageal Physiology
Background:
- Esophageal motility testing is the gold standard for diagnosing esophageal motor disorders.
- Some clinicians doubt its utility due to normal results in symptomatic individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical utility of esophageal motility testing.
- To assess its value in patients with noncardiac chest pain, dysphagia, or GERD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical utility of esophageal motility testing.
- Analysis of test results in patients presenting with specific symptoms.
Main Results:
- Esophageal motility testing is highly useful for dysphagia evaluation.
- Its utility is moderate for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- It offers limited clinical value for noncardiac chest pain.
Conclusions:
- The diagnostic value of esophageal motility testing is symptom-dependent.
- It is most beneficial for patients experiencing dysphagia.
- Consideration of alternative diagnostic approaches is warranted for chest pain and GERD.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
01:16Gastric Motility
Gastric motility is the coordinated contraction and relaxation of stomach muscles that convert ingested food into chyme, a semi-liquid substance ready for further digestion in the intestines. The process begins with the vagus nerve inducing the relaxation of the smooth muscles in the fundus and body of the stomach, allowing these regions to expand and accommodate up to approximately 1.5 liters of food and liquid.
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
01:21Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Individuals with Barrett's esophagus are often asymptomatic, but they may experience symptoms commonly associated with GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. Additional symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool (which may appear black, tarry, or bloody), and episodes of vomiting.
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
This lesson explores three gastrointestinal imaging techniques: radionuclide testing, colonic transit studies, and virtual colonoscopy.
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
01:27Esophageal Achalasia
Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...