Review
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2006; 12(39): 6266-6273
Published online Oct 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i39.6266
Technological insights: Combined impedance manometry for esophageal motility testing-current results and further implications
Huan Nam Nguyen, Gerson Ricardo Souza Domingues, Frank Lammert
Huan Nam Nguyen, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Technology RWTH-Aachen, Germany
Gerson Ricardo Souza Domingues, Department of Internal Medicine, Gama Filho Unisverity, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Frank Lammert, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany
Correspondence to: Huan N Nguyen, MD, Medizinische Klinik, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus Rheydt, Städtische Kliniken Mönchengladbach, Hubertusstr. 100, Mönchengladbach D 41239, Germany. huan.nguyen@sk-mg.de
Telephone: +49-2166-3942121 Fax: +49-2166-3942711
Received: May 7, 2006
Revised: May 28, 2006
Accepted: June 14, 2006
Published online: October 21, 2006
Abstract

This review focuses on current aspects of the novel technology of combined impedance manometry for esophageal motility testing. It presents methodological features, summarizes current results and discusses implications for further research. The combined technique assesses simultaneously bolus transport and associated peristalsis, thus allowing detailed analysis of the relationships between bolus transit and esophageal motility. Recent studies demonstrate that combined impedance manometry provides important additional information about esophageal motility as compared to conventional manometry: (1) monitoring of bolus transport patterns, (2) calculation of bolus transit parameters, (3) evaluation of bolus clearance, (4) monitoring of swallow associated events such as air movement and reflux, and (5) investigation of the relationships between bolus transit and LES relaxation. Studies with healthy subjects have identified several useful parameters for comprehensive assessment of eosphageal function. These parameters were found to be pathological in patients with classical achalasia, mild GERD, and ineffective esophageal motility. The technology of combined impedance manometry provides an important new tool for esophageal function testing, advancing both clinical and basic research. However, several important issues remain to be standardized to make the technique suitable for widely clinical use.

Keywords: Combined impedance manometry; Esopha-geal function testing; Review