Guidelines Clinical Practice
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2009; 15(2): 131-138
Published online Jan 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.131
New technologies in the gastrointestinal clinic and research: Impedance and high-resolution manometry
John E Pandolfino, Peter J Kahrilas
John E Pandolfino, Peter J Kahrilas, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Suite 1400 Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
Author contributions: Both Pandolfino JE and Kahrilas PJ contributed to the writing of this review.
Correspondence to: John E Pandolfino, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 1400 Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States. j-pandolfino@northwestern.edu
Telephone: +1-312-6954729
Fax: +1-312-6953999
Received: September 10, 2008
Revised: November 17, 2008
Accepted: November 24, 2008
Published online: January 14, 2009
Abstract

The last five years have been an exciting time in the study of esophageal motor disorders due to the recent advances in esophageal function testing. New technologies have emerged, such as intraluminal impedance, while conventional techniques, such as manometry, have enjoyed many improvements due to advances in transducer technology, computerization and graphic data presentation. While these techniques provide more detailed information regarding esophageal function, our understanding of whether they can improve our ability to diagnose and treat patients more effectively is evolving. These techniques are also excellent research tools and they have added substantially to our understanding of esophageal motor function in dysphagia. This review describes the potential benefits that these new technologies may have over conventional techniques for the evaluation of dysphagia.

Keywords: Dysphagia, Multichannel intraluminal Impedance, Bolus transit, High-resolution manometry, Esophagogastric junction, Achalasia