Esophageal manometry

If you’ve experienced painful heartburn, acid reflux, or the feeling that food is getting stuck on the way down, you know how much a swallowing problem can affect your life. An esophageal manometry test measures how the muscles in your esophagus move food toward your stomach and whether those muscles are working as they should. This information helps diagnose swallowing disorders and explains what may be causing your symptoms.

Esophageal manometry is performed by a gastroenterologist who specializes in digestive system disorders and has expertise in esophageal motility testing. Choosing Penn Medicine means you’re treated by esophageal and swallowing disorder care experts who understand the full range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Our GI specialists pioneered the use of advanced endoscopy, setting a national standard for evaluating and treating complex digestive conditions, including swallowing disorders, so you’ll have access to the latest approaches to care.

Esophageal manometry is most often recommended if you’re struggling with chronic symptoms that suggest a problem with the movement (motility) of your esophagus. This includes issues like swallowing disorders (dysphagia), chest pain not related to your heart, chronic cough, or uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The test can also help diagnose specific conditions like achalasia or esophageal spasms.

The esophageal manometry procedure takes about one hour and is done in an outpatient setting. Before the test, you’ll be asked not to eat or drink for about eight hours so your stomach is empty.

Once you arrive, a nurse will apply numbing medicine to your nose and throat to make the process more comfortable. A thin, flexible tube with pressure sensors is then gently passed through your nose, down your esophagus, and into your stomach. You may feel a brief gagging sensation, but it usually passes quickly. After the tube is in place, you’ll be asked to swallow small sips of water while the sensors measure muscle pressure and movement. The data is sent to a computer for your provider to analyze.

Recovery after this nonsurgical procedure is brief. You can usually return to your normal routine and start eating and drinking right away. Some people have mild throat or nasal soreness for a short time, but it typically fades quickly. Your provider will review your results and talk through any findings, including whether the test showed abnormal manometry patterns that might explain your symptoms.