Transcutaneous cervical esophagus ultrasound in adults: Relation with ambulatory 24-h pH-monitoring and esophageal manometry

AIM: To determine the gastroesophageal refl uxate in the cervical esophagus (CE) and measure transcutaneous cervical esophageal ultrasound (TCEUS) f indings [anterior wall thickness (WT) of CE, esophageal luminal diameter (ELD), esophageal diameter (ED)]; to compare TCEUS findings in the patient subgroups divided according to 24-h esophageal pH monitoring and manometry; and to investigate possible cut-off values according to the TCEUS f indings as a predictor of gastroesophageal refl ux (GER). METHODS: In 45/500 patients, refl uxate was visualized in TCEUS. 38/45 patients underwent esophagogastroduo denoscopy (EGD), 24-h pH monitoring and manometry. RESULTS: The 38 patients were grouped according to 24-h pH monitoring as follows: Group A: GER-positive (n = 20) [Includes Group B: isolated proximal refl ux (PR) (n = 6), Group C: isolated distal reflux (DR) (n = 6), and Group D: both PR/DR (n = 8)]; Group E: no refl ux (n = 13); and Group F: hypersensitive esophagus (HSE) (n = 5). Groups B + D indicated total PR patients (n = 14), Groups E + F refl ux-negatives with HSE (n = 18), and Groups A + F refl ux-positives with HSE (n = 25). When the 38 patients were grouped according to manometry fi ndings, 24 had normal esophageal manometry; 7 had hypotensive and 2 had hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES); and 5 had ineffective esophageal motility disorder (IEM). The ELD measurement was greater in group A + F than group E (P = 0.023, 5.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.4 mm). In 27/38 patients, there was at least one pathologic acid refl ux and/or pathologic manometry fi nding. The cut-off value for ELD of 4.83 mm had 79% sensitivity and 61% specificity in predicting the PRbetween Groups B + D and E (AUC = 0.775, P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Visualizing refluxate in TCEUS was useful as a pre-diagnostic tool for estimating GER or manometric pathology in 71.1% of adults in our study, but it was not diagnostic for CE WT.

Upper esophageal sphincter abnormalities on high-resolution esophageal manometry and treatment response of type Ⅱ achalasia

BACKGROUND Little is known about the clinical significance of upper esophageal sphincter(UES)motility disorders and their association with the treatment response of typeⅡachalasia.None of the three versions of the Chicago Classification of Esophageal Motility Disorders has defined UES abnormality metrics or their function.UES abnormalities exist in some patients and indicate a clinically significant problem in patients with achalasia.AIM To demonstrate the manometric differentiation on high-resolution esophageal manometry between subjects with abnormal UES and normal UES,and the association between UES type and the treatment response of typeⅡachalasia.METHODS In total,498 consecutive patients referred for high-resolution esophageal manometry were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into two groups,those with normal and abnormal UES function.UES parameters were analyzed after determining lower esophageal sphincter(LES)function.Patients with typeⅡachalasia underwent pneumatic dilation for treatment.Using mixed model analyses,correlations between abnormal UES and treatment response were calculated among subjects with typeⅡachalasia.RESULTS Of the 498 consecutive patients,246(49.40%)were found to have UES abnormalities.Impaired relaxation alone was the most common UES abnormality(52.85%,n=130).The incidence rate of typeⅡachalasia was significantly higher in subjects with abnormal UES than those with normal UES(9.77%vs 2.58%,P=0.01).After pneumatic dilation,LES resting pressure,LES integrated relaxation pressure,and UES residual pressure were significantly decreased(41.91±9.20 vs 26.18±13.08,38.94±10.28 vs 16.71±5.65,and 11.18±7.93 vs 5.35±4.77,respectively,P<0.05).According to the Eckardt score,subjects with typeⅡachalasia and abnormal UES presented a significantly poorer treatment response than those with normal UES(83.33%vs 0.00%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Impaired relaxation alone is the most common UES abnormality.The incidence of typeⅡachalasia is associated with abnormal UES.TypeⅡachalasia with abnormal UES has a poorer treatment response,which is a potentially prognostic indicator of treatment for this disease.

Esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring in esophagus surgery:28-year Chinese experience in a single center

Objective To retrospectively review the experience of esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring in e-sophagus surgery. Methods From 1982 to 2010,patients with unspecific chest pain and undergone esophageal surgery were received esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring. Results Among the patients with

Exertional esophageal pH-metry and manometry in recurrent chest pain

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of 24-h and exertional esophageal pH-metry and manometry in patients with recurrent chest pain. METHODS: The study included 111 patients (54% male) with recurrent angina-like chest pain, non-respon- sive to therapy with proton pump inhibitors. Sixty-five (59%) had non-obstructive lesions in coronary artery angiography, and in 46 (41%) significant coronary artery narrowing was found. In all patients, 24-h esophageal pH-metry and manometry, and treadmill stress tests with simultaneous esophageal pH-metry and manometry monitoring were performed. During a 24-h examination the percentage of spontaneous chest pain (sCP) episodes associated with acid reflux or dysmotility (symptom index, SI) was calculated. Patients with SI > 50% for acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were classified as having GER-related sCP. The remaining symptomatic individuals were determined as having non-GER-related sCP. During the stress test, the occurrence of chest pain, episodes of esophageal acidification (pH < 4 for 10 s) and esophageal spasm with more than 55% of simultaneous contractions (exercise-provoked esophageal spasm or EPES) were noted. RESULTS: Sixty-eight (61%) individuals reported sCP during 24-h esophageal function monitoring. Eleven of these (16%) were classified as having GER-related sCP and 53/68 (84%) as having non-GER-related sCP. The exercise-provoked chest pain during a stress test occurred in 13/111 (12%) subjects. In order to compare the clinical usefulness of 24-h esophageal function monitoring and its examination limited only to the treadmill stress test, the standard parameters of diagnostic test evaluation were determined. The occurrence of GER- related or non-GER-related sCP was assumed as a "gold standard". Afterwards, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. These parameters expressed a prediction of GER-related or non-GER-related sCP occurrence by the presence of chest pain, esophageal acidification and EPES. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of chest pain during the stress test predicting any sCP occurrence were 28%, 35% and 80%, respectively, predicting GER- related sCP were 42%, 0% and 83%, respectively, and predicting non-GER-related sCP were 57%, 36% and 83%, respectively. Similar values were obtained for exercise-related acidification with pH < 4 longer than 10 s in the prediction of GER-related sCP (44%, 36% and 92%, respectively) and EPES in relation to non-GER-related sCP (48%, 23% and 84%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The presence of chest pain, esophageal acidification and EPES had greater than 80% specificity to exclude the GER-related and non-GER-related causes of recurrent chest pain.

Transmitted cardiovascular pulsations on high resolution esophageal impedance manometry, and their significance in dysphagia

AIM To investigate the behavior of pulsatile pressure zones(PPZ's) as noted on high resolution esophageal impedance manometry(HREIM), and determine their association with dysphagia.METHODS Retrospective, single center case control design scr-eening HREIM studies for cases(dysphagia) and controls(no dysphagia). Thoracic radiology studies were reviewed further in cases for(thoracic cardiovascular) thoracic cardiovascular(TCV) structures in esophageal proximity to compare with HREIM findings. Manometric data was collected for number, location, axial length, PPZ pressure and esophageal clearance function(impedance). RESULTS Among 317 screened patients, 56% cases and 64% controls had PPZ's. Fifty cases had an available thoracic radiology comparison. The distribution of PPZ's in these 50 cases and 59 controls was similar(average 1.4 PPZ/patient). Controls(mean 31.2 ± SD 12 years) were a significantly younger population than cases(mean 67.3 ± SD 14.9 years) with P < 0.0001. The upright posture PPZ pressure was higher in controls(15.7 ± 10.0 mm Hg) than cases(10.8 ± 9.7 mm Hg). Although statistically significant(P = 0.005), it was a weak predictor using logistic regression and ROC model(AUC = 0.65). Three dysphagia patients had partial compression from external TCV on radiology(1 aberrant subclavian artery, 2 dilated left atrium). The posture(supine vs upright) with more prominent PPZ's impaired bolus clearance in 9 additional cases by > 20%. CONCLUSION Transmitted TCV pulsations observed in HREIM bear no significant impact on swallowing. However, in older adults with dysphagia, evidence of impaired bolus clearance on impedance should be evaluated for external TCV compression. These associations have never been explored previously in literature, and are novel.

Gastroesophageal reflux in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices

AIM: To evaluate the esophageal motility and abnormal acid and bile reflux incidence in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices (EV). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with liver cirrhosis without EV confirmed by upper gastroesophageal endoscopy and 30 healthy control volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients were evaluated using a modified protocol including Child-Pugh score, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, simultaneous ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH and bilirubin monitoring. All the patients and volunteers accepted the manometric study. RESULTS: In the liver cirrhosis group, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP, 15.32 ± 2.91 mmHg), peristaltic amplitude (PA, 61.41 ± 10.52 mmHg), peristaltic duration (PD, 5.32 ± 1.22 s), and peristaltic velocity (PV, 5.22 ± 1.11 cm/s) were all significantly abnormal in comparison with those in the control group (P < 0.05), and LESP was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score. The incidence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and pathologic reflux was 37.18% and 55.13%, respectively(vs control, P < 0.05). And the incidence of isolated abnormal acid reflux, bile reflux and mixed reflux was 12.82%, 14.10% and 28.21% in patients with liver cirrhosis without EV. CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients without EV presented esophageal motor disorders and mixed acid and bile reflux was the main pattern; the cirrhosis itself was an important causative factor.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and morbid obesity: To sleeve or not to sleeve?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG) has reached wide popularity during the last 15 years, due to the limited morbidity and mortality rates, and the very good weight loss results and effects on comorbid conditions. However, there are concerns regarding the effects of LSG on gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). The interpretation of the current evidence is challenged by the fact that the LSG technique is not standardized, and most studies investigate the presence of GERD by assessing symptoms and the use of acid reducing medications only. A few studies objectively investigated gastroesophageal function and the reflux profile by esophageal manometry and 24-h p H monitoring, reporting postoperative normalization of esophageal acid exposure in up to 85% of patients with preoperative GERD, and occurrence of de novo GERD in about 5% of cases. There is increasing evidence showing the key role of the surgical technique on the incidence of postoperative GERD. Main technical issues are a relative narrowing of the mid portion of the gastric sleeve, a redundant upper part of the sleeve(both depending on the angle under which the sleeve is stapled), and the presence of a hiatal hernia. Concomitant hiatal hernia repair is recommended. To date, either medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors or conversion of LSG to laparoscopic Rouxen-Y gastric bypass are the available options for the management of GERD after LSG. Recently, new minimally invasive approaches have been proposed in patients with GERD and hypotensive LES: the LINX? Reflux Management System procedure and the Stretta? procedure. Large studies are needed to assess the safety and long-term efficacy of these new approaches. In conclusion, the recent publication of p H monitoring data and the new insights in the association between sleeve morphology and GERD control have led to a wider acceptance of LSG as bariatric procedure also in obese patients with GERD, as recently stated in the 5^(th) International Consensus Conference on sleeve gastrectomy.

Accurate positioning of the 24-hour pH monitoring catheter:Agreement between manometry and pH step-up method in two patient positions

AIM： TO investigate the agreement between esophageal manometry and pH step-up method in two different patient positions. METHODS： Eighteen subjects were included in the study. First, the distance from the nose to the proximal border of the lower esophageal sphincter （LES） was measured manometrically. Then a different investigator, who was blinded to the results of the first study, measured the same distance using the pH step-up method, with the patient in both upright and supine positions. An assessment of agreement between the two techniques was performed. RESULTS： In the supine position, the measurement of only one subject was outside the range accepted for correct positioning （~〈 3 cm distal or proximal to the LES）. In the upright position, errors in measurement were recognized in five subjects. Bland-Airman plots revealed good agreement between measurements obtained manometrically and by the pH-step up method with the patient in the supine position. CONCLUSION： In the case of nonavailability of manometric detection device, the pH step-up method can facilitate the positioning of the 24 h pH monitoring catheter with the patient in the supine position. Thisshould increase the use of pH-metry in clinical practice for subjects with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease if our results are supported by further studies.

Influence of capsaicin infusion on secondary peristalsis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM To determine whether capsaicin infusion could influence heartburn perception and secondary peristalsis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). METHODS Secondary peristalsis was performed with slow and rapid mid-esophageal injections of air in 10 patients with GERD. In a first protocol, saline and capsaicincontaining red pepper sauce infusions were randomly performed, whereas 2 consecutive sessions of capsaicin-containing red pepper sauce infusions were performed in a second protocol. Tested solutions including 5 m L of red pepper sauce diluted with 15 m L of saline and 20 m L of 0.9% saline were infused into the mid-esophagus via the manometric catheter at a rate of 10 mL /min with a randomized and doubleblind fashion. During each study protocol, perception of heartburn, threshold volumes and peristaltic parameters for secondary peristalsis were analyzed and compared between different stimuli.RESULTS Infusion of capsaicin significantly increased heartburn perception in patients with GERD(P < 0.001), whereas repeated capsaicin infusion significantly reduced heartburn perception(P = 0.003). Acute capsaicin infusion decreased threshold volume of secondary peristalsis(P = 0.001) and increased its frequency(P = 0.01) during rapid air injection. The prevalence of GERD patients with successive secondary peristalsis during slow air injection significantly increased after capsaicin infusion(P = 0.001). Repeated capsaicin infusion increased threshold volume of secondary peristalsis(P = 0.002) and reduced the frequency of secondary peristalsis(P = 0.02) during rapid air injection. CONCLUSION Acute esophageal exposure to capsaicin enhances heartburn sensation and promotes secondary peristalsis in gastroesophageal reflux disease, but repetitive capsaicin infusion reverses these effects.

Ineffective esophageal motility is associated with acute rejection after lung transplantation independent of gastroesophageal reflux

BACKGROUND Gastroesophageal reflux is associated with poorer outcomes after lung transplant,likely through recurrent aspiration and allograft injury.Although prior studies have demonstrated a relationship between impedance-pH results and transplant outcomes,the role of esophageal manometry in the assessment of lung transplant patients remains debated,and the impact of esophageal dysmotility on transplant outcomes is unclear.Of particular interest is ineffective esophageal motility(IEM)and its associated impact on esophageal clearance.AIM To assess the relationship between pre-transplant IEM diagnosis and acute rejection after lung transplantation.METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients at a tertiary care center between 2007 and 2018.Patients with pre-transplant anti-reflux surgery were excluded.Manometric and reflux diagnoses were recorded from pre-transplant esophageal function testing.Time-to-event analysis using Cox proportional hazards model was applied to evaluate outcome of first episode of acute cellular rejection,defined histologically per International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation guidelines.Subjects not meeting this endpoint were censored at time of post-transplant anti-reflux surgery,last clinic visit,or death.Fisher’s exact test for binary variables and student’s t-test for continuous variables were performed to assess for differences between groups.RESULTS Of 184 subjects(54%men,mean age:58,follow-up:443 person-years)met criteria for inclusion.Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis represented the predominant pulmonary diagnosis(41%).During the follow-up period,60 subjects(33.5%)developed acute rejection.The all-cause mortality was 16.3%.Time-to-event univariate analyses demonstrated significant association between IEM and acute rejection[hazard ratio(HR):1.984,95%CI:1.03-3.30,P=0.04],confirmed on Kaplan-Meier curve.On multivariable analysis,IEM remained independently associated with acute rejection,even after controlling for potential confounders such as the presence of acid and nonacid reflux(HR:2.20,95%CI:1.18-4.11,P=0.01).Nonacid reflux was also independently associated with acute rejection on both univariate(HR:2.16,95%CI:1.26-3.72,P=0.005)and multivariable analyses(HR:2.10,95%CI:1.21-3.64,P=0.009),adjusting for the presence of IEM.CONCLUSION Pre-transplant IEM was associated with acute rejection after transplantation,even after controlling for acid and nonacid reflux.Esophageal motility testing may be considered in lung transplant to predict outcomes.

Gender,medication use and other factors associated with esophageal motility disorders in non-obstructive dysphagia

Background:High-resolution esophageal manometry(HREM)is the diagnostic test of choice for evaluation of nonobstructive dysphagia.Studies regarding the predictors of esophageal dysmotility are limited.Therefore,our aim was to study the prevalence of and factors associated with esophageal motility disorders in patients with non-obstructive dysphagia.Methods:We performed a retrospective review of all patients with non-obstructive dysphagia who underwent HREM in a tertiary center between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015.After obtaining IRB approval(16–051),clinical records were scrutinized for demographic data,symptoms,medication use,upper endoscopic findings and esophageal pH findings.HREM plots were classified per Chicago Classification version 3.0.Primary outcome was prevalence of esophageal motility disorders;secondary outcomes assessed predictive factors.Results:In total,155 patients with non-obstructive dysphagia(55616 years old,72%female)were identified.HREM diagnosis was normal in 49%followed by ineffective esophageal motility in 20%,absent contractility in 7.1%,achalasia type II in 5.8%,outflow obstruction in 5.2%,jackhammer esophagus in 4.5%,distal esophageal spasm in 3.9%,fragment peristalsis in 1.9%,achalasia type I in 1.9%,and achalasia type III in 0.6%.Men were five times more likely to have achalasia than women[odds ratio(OR)5.3,95%confidence interval(CI):2.0–14.2;P=0.001].Patients with erosive esophagitis(OR 2.9,95%CI:1.1–7.7;P=0.027)or using calcium channel blockers(OR 3.0,95%CI:1.2–7.4;P=0.015)were three times more likely to have hypomotility disorders.Conclusion:From this study,we concluded that HREM diagnosis per Chicago Classification version 3.0 was normal in 49%of patients with non-obstructive dysphagia.Male gender,erosive esophagitis and use of calcium channel blockers were predictive of esophageal motility disorders.