Esophageal Manometry Study

What is an Esophageal manometry study?

Esophageal Manometry is a special test to determine the strength and coordination of the muscles in your esophagus as you drink and/or eat. The esophagus is a muscular hollow tube that connects the mouth and stomach.

This test is typically performed without sedation, however some patients may require a medicine to help them relax. For the test a nurse will apply a numbing medication spray into the nose. Then a nurse will gently pass a small tube through the nose and into the stomach. This tube will be connected to a computer that records how the esophageal muscles squeeze this tube. You may feel a pressure in the nose or a tickle at the back of the throat. Some patients find this makes them want to swallow frequently until they get used to having the tube in place. You will be able to talk and swallow with the tube in place. During the study you will be asked to swallow 10 teaspoons of Pedialyte and possibly apple sauce or crackers.

Some reasons why you may need an Esophageal Manometry:

Choking
Coughing
Nausea and or Vomiting
Chest pain
Difficulty swallowing

What happens before and after the test?

Before the test, you are not supposed to eat or drink anything as this can cause problems with the medicines used to help you to stay relaxed during the test. Please ask your doctor whether you should to stop taking any current medications in advance before the test.

After the test, the tube is easily pulled from the stomach. You may be sleepy if you had medicine to help you relax. Once you are drinking well, you can start eating again and go home. A few people feel sick after the test and may be watched a little longer until they feel better.

After the test, if you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the Emergency Department

Tummy pain for more than an hour. Most patients feel fine after the test.
Throwing up several times. To make sure this isn’t a problem, try to drink small amounts of drinks like Sprite or ginger ale, or eat a little bit of popsicle.
Bleeding. Passing small amounts of blood (less than a spoonful) may be normal for 1-2 days, but if it is more than that or it continues let your doctor know.
Fever

Discover Our Difference

The Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition specialists at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital brings help and hope to pediatric patients. We’re saving lives through innovation— leading the nation in developing new treatment methods for kids of all ages. For the 11th consecutive year, University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital has earned a spot among the best children’s hospitals in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

We provide outstanding care for advanced GI and Liver diseases, including treatment of liver failure, liver transplant, total pancreatectomy with auto islet cells transplant.

Why parents choose us?

We offer:

A dedicated team of 8 Pediatric Gastroenterologists, and 1 Advanced Practice Provider Private hospital rooms to reduce infections and other complications
High-level academic research and skilled practitioners in all pediatric subspecialties Platinum Level ECMO Center of Excellence
State-of-the-science liver transplantation
Largest and most experienced pediatric total pancreatectomy, islet autotransplantation program in the world
Innovation to provide the best possible care to children
Research and innovation

Our pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology team currently conducts clinical and epidemiologic studies in:

Inflammatory bowel diseases in children, including newly developed treatment modalities, quality improvement studies and epidemiological studies
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic Hepatitis B
Pediatric Nutrition
Gastrointestinal, liver, and nutritional complications of pediatric cystic fibrosis