FINDING & IMPLICATIONS:
Although a test called esophageal manometry has provided the best diagnostic tool for healthcare professionals to diagnose suspected diseases of the esophagus, there are no uniform standards to guide physicians as to the best way to perform the procedure or to interpret the results. In fact, a lack of standardized training and multiple ways to perform the test have made it difficult or impossible to share data between physicians.

Now, new consensus guidelines will help to set the standards for physicians using esophageal manometry to accurately identify esophageal diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn, problems with swallowing or non-heart related chest pain coming from the esophagus. The paper is published in the December issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.

"This is the first paper to provide a detailed standardized description of how esophageal manometry should be administered. It will help clinical practitioners to perform a standardized and reproducible test that can be interpreted across the board by other doctors," said Dr. Jeffrey L. Conklin, Medical Director of the Esophageal Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

BACKGROUND:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat with the stomach. Its synchronized contractions push what is swallowed into the stomach. At the upper and lower ends of the esophagus are two short areas of specialized muscle called the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. When at rest, the muscles of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters are closed and prevent anything from passing through them. For example, the upper sphincter
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Contact: Kelli Hanley
kelli.hanley@cshs.org
310-423-3674
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
4-Dec-2003