Motility Tests
Gastrointestinal motility has to do with the movement of food and drinks through your digestive tract. Normally, muscles in the digestive tract contract and relax to push solids and liquids along. Gastrointestinal motility disorders happen when nerves or muscles do not work together to push things along.
Patients with suspected gastrointestinal motility disorders need to undergo studies to diagnose their condition correctly so we can provide treatment.
At Mount Sinai Medical Center, we have a state-of-the-art motility lab where patients can access the appropriate test for their unique circumstances.
Ambulatory 24-Hour pH Probe
An ambulatory 24-hour pH probe is a test in which we insert a very thin tube through the nose into the esophagus. A pH sensor at the tip of the tube measures acidity. For this test, the patient keeps the probe in place for 24 continuous hours, and it can stay as long as 72 hours if necessary. After this period, the tube is removed, and the results from the acid probe are interpreted by a computer and compared to normal levels. This exam is considered the “gold standard” for determining if the patient has reflux disease or GERD.
Esophageal Manometry
Esophageal manometry is performed by passing a thin tube through the nose into the esophagus. Once the tube is in position, the patient is asked to swallow. Measurements of pressure inside the esophagus are made by using readings of the muscle contractions (motility) of the esophagus. Lower esophageal sphincter muscle pressure can also be measured.
This test helps determine whether there is a problem with the contractions of the esophagus and the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Diseases commonly diagnosed with this technology include achalasia, esophageal spasms, hiatal hernia, esophagogastric outflow obstruction, and scleroderma esophagus.
Impedance
This involves the same type of procedure as a 24-hour pH test (a tube is passed through the nose into the esophagus and down to the lower esophageal sphincter. It measures liquid pushed up from the stomach into the esophagus. This test is important for people with reflux symptoms who have bile reflux, not acid reflux, and therefore have normal results from a 24-hour pH probe. It also allows your doctor to assess certain swallowing disorders.
Wireless Ambulatory 48-Hour pH Monitoring
This wireless monitoring uses a special pH-measuring device clipped to the esophagus lining during an endoscopy. This means that there is no need for a tube to be put through the nose and into the esophagus. The pH sensor sends a wireless message to a portable computer that collects data about esophageal acid exposure over 24 to 72 hours. The clipped probe in the esophagus detaches itself from the esophagus and is ultimately passed in the stool.