Esophagus Tests: How It Is Done

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How It Is Done

You will lie on a table with your head on a pillow. You may be given a spray medicine that numbs your nose and throat. For each esophagus test, a thin, flexible tube will be passed through your nose or mouth to your lower esophagus and stomach. This may make you feel like you have to gag. To help overcome this feeling, concentrate on breathing slowly. Your pulse and blood pressure may be monitored while the tube is being inserted.

pH monitoring

• A probe that measures pH will be passed through your nose or mouth into your lower esophagus. The probe monitors the pH in your esophagus so your health professional can tell whether the pH drops because of liquid from your stomach backing up into your esophagus.
• For prolonged pH monitoring, the pH probe is attached to a small recorder. You carry the recorder by a strap around your waist or over your shoulder. The probe measures the pH of your esophagus for up to 24 hours while you go about your routine daily activities. During the monitoring period, you will need to use a diary to keep track of your activities and any symptoms you develop. You may be asked to avoid high-acid foods such as fruit, fruit juice, and tomatoes during the testing period. You will not be able to take a bath, except for a careful sponge bath, or do anything else that might get the monitor wet during the recording period.
• For Bravo wireless pH monitoring, a capsule containing a pH-sensitive transmitter is placed in your stomach during an endoscopy procedure. You carry a small pager-sized receiver in your pocket or wear it around your waist. You will be instructed to press the symptom button when you have heartburn, chest pain, or regurgitation. You can bathe during the monitoring period. When the testing period is over, return the receiver and your diary to your health professional for evaluation. The transmitter capsule will pass out of your body in a bowel movement, usually within a few days. This type of testing may not be recommended if you have a history of a bowel obstruction.

Esophageal manometry

• You will swallow a small tube attached to instruments (transducers) that measure pressure. The tube has holes in it that sense pressure along the esophagus. It will be positioned in different areas of your esophagus.
• You may be asked to swallow several times or to drink water while pressure measurements are taken.
• The results of the manometry test are displayed as a graph with a wave pattern that can be interpreted to determine if the esophagus is functioning normally.

Last updated:	May 08, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer