Motility

Overview:

Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic test that measures the strength, coordination, and sensation of the muscles in the rectum and anus. A thin, flexible catheter with sensors is inserted into the rectum to record pressure changes during rest, squeezing, and pushing. This helps evaluate how well the rectum and anal sphincter work together to control bowel movements.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Chronic constipation or difficulty passing stool
• Fecal incontinence (loss of bowel control)
• Pelvic floor dysfunction or dyssynergia
• Hirschsprung’s disease (especially in children)
• Post-surgical or nerve-related bowel control issues

Overview:

Bravo Capsule pH Monitoring measures acid levels in your esophagus to help diagnose conditions related to acid reflux. A small capsule is temporarily attached to your esophagus during an upper endoscopy. It wirelessly records pH data for up to 48 hours, helping your doctor understand how often and how long stomach acid enters your esophagus.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
• Chronic cough or sore throat
• Chest pain not related to the heart
• Regurgitation or heartburn unresponsive to medication

Before the Procedure:

• You may need to stop acid-reducing medications several days before testing.
• Do not eat or drink for several hours before your procedure.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home if sedation is used.

Overview:

Esophageal pH monitoring measures acid exposure in the esophagus over 24 hours to evaluate reflux activity. A thin catheter is placed through the nose into the esophagus to record pH levels while you eat, sleep, and perform normal activities. This test helps diagnose GERD, measure acid control with medications, and explain symptoms like heartburn or chest discomfort.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Noncardiac chest pain
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
• Persistent heartburn despite therapy
• Chronic cough or sore throat

Overview:

Esophageal testing evaluates how the esophagus moves food to the stomach and how well the lower esophageal sphincter functions. Using techniques such as manometry and pH monitoring, these tests measure muscle contractions and acid exposure to help diagnose swallowing disorders, reflux disease, and motility problems. The results guide effective treatment for conditions affecting swallowing, digestion, and comfort.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Chest pain not related to the heart
• Achalasia
• Esophageal spasm or motility disorders

Overview:

Gastrointestinal (GI) dilation procedures are minimally invasive treatments used to widen narrowed areas (strictures) in the digestive tract. These narrowings can occur anywhere from the esophagus to the colon and often result from scarring, inflammation, or certain diseases.

During a GI dilation, a doctor uses an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera) to reach the narrowed area and stretch it open using one of several tools. One option is a balloon dilator, which gently expand inside the stricture. Another is a bougie dilator, which are flexible tapered tubes passed through the narrowing. The procedure restores normal passage of food and fluids and relieves symptoms like difficulty swallowing or bowel obstruction.

Conditions Treated:

• Esophageal strictures (from acid reflux, radiation, or surgery)
• Achalasia or other motility-related narrowing
• Crohn’s disease–related intestinal strictures
• Postsurgical or anastomotic narrowing
• Schatzki ring (a ring of tissue in the esophagus causing swallowing issues)
• Pyloric or duodenal obstruction

Overview:

Gastrointestinal scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine test that measures how quickly food moves through the stomach or intestines. After eating a small meal containing a safe radioactive tracer, a special camera tracks digestion over time. This study helps identify delayed or rapid emptying and other motility problems, guiding treatment for conditions that cause nausea, bloating, or changes in digestion speed.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
• Rapid gastric emptying (dumping syndrome)
• Chronic nausea or vomiting
• Bloating or early fullness
• Intestinal motility disorders

Overview:

Pelvic floor biofeedback is a noninvasive therapy and diagnostic technique that helps patients learn to coordinate the muscles used for bowel movements. Sensors measure muscle activity while visual or auditory feedback guides relaxation or contraction exercises. This training improves bowel control and reduces symptoms related to constipation or fecal incontinence by restoring normal pelvic floor function.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Chronic constipation
• Fecal incontinence
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Dyssynergic defecation
• Difficulty with bowel evacuation

Overview:

Standard and impedance motility studies evaluate how muscles and nerves in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines coordinate to move food through the GI tract. Using thin catheters with pressure or impedance sensors, these tests measure muscle contractions, coordination, and reflux movement. Results help diagnose swallowing problems, motility disorders, or unexplained digestive symptoms such as pain, nausea, or bloating.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Achalasia and esophageal spasm
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Gastroparesis and intestinal dysmotility
• Chronic nausea or bloating
• GERD or nonacid reflux

Overview:

Wireless and catheter pH monitoring tests measure acid levels in the esophagus to evaluate reflux activity and determine how often stomach acid enters the esophagus. A small wireless capsule or thin catheter records acid exposure over 24–96 hours. This information helps diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), assess treatment effectiveness, and guide management of related symptoms like heartburn or chronic cough.

Conditions Evaluated:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
• Chronic cough or sore throat related to reflux
• Noncardiac chest pain
• Persistent heartburn despite medication