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F1000Research 2019The literal definition of dysphagia is "disturbed eating". However, it is more accurately described in clinical practice as a sensation of food or liquid being stuck in... (Review)
Review
The literal definition of dysphagia is "disturbed eating". However, it is more accurately described in clinical practice as a sensation of food or liquid being stuck in the esophagus or chest. If this sensation is associated with pain, it is labeled odynophagia, and if it is associated with persistent obstruction and bolus retention, it is categorized as a food impaction. Through research and technological advances, we continue to expand our understanding of the etiologies and underlying pathophysiology relating to this complaint. However, for now, our clinical algorithms focus on endoscopy and manometry to break down dysphagia into three categories: obstructive dysphagia, esophageal motility disorders, and functional dysphagia. Here, we review some critical pitfalls in our current clinical diagnoses, new proposed underlying mechanisms of esophageal motor disorders, and developing technologies to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Motility Disorders; Humans; Manometry; Muscle Contraction
PubMed: 31508201
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.18900.1 -
Gastroenterology May 2022Dysphagia is a common symptom with significant impact on quality of life. Our diagnostic armamentarium was primarily limited to endoscopy and barium esophagram until the... (Review)
Review
Dysphagia is a common symptom with significant impact on quality of life. Our diagnostic armamentarium was primarily limited to endoscopy and barium esophagram until the advent of manometric techniques in the 1970s, which provided the first reliable tool for assessment of esophageal motor function. Since that time, significant advances have been made over the last 3 decades in our understanding of various esophageal motility disorders due to improvement in diagnostics with high-resolution esophageal manometry. High-resolution esophageal manometry has improved the sensitivity for detecting achalasia and has also enhanced our understanding of spastic and hypomotility disorders of the esophageal body. In this review, we discuss the current approach to diagnosis and therapeutics of various esophageal motility disorders.
Topics: Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Esophageal Achalasia; Esophageal Motility Disorders; Humans; Manometry; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35227779
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.12.289 -
Anesthesiology Jan 2022The development of pulmonary atelectasis is common in the surgical patient. Pulmonary atelectasis can cause various degrees of gas exchange and respiratory mechanics... (Review)
Review
The development of pulmonary atelectasis is common in the surgical patient. Pulmonary atelectasis can cause various degrees of gas exchange and respiratory mechanics impairment during and after surgery. In its most serious presentations, lung collapse could contribute to postoperative respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia, and worse overall clinical outcomes. A specific risk assessment is critical to allow clinicians to optimally choose the anesthetic technique, prepare appropriate monitoring, adapt the perioperative plan, and ensure the patient's safety. Bedside diagnosis and management have benefited from recent imaging advancements such as lung ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography, and monitoring such as esophageal manometry. Therapeutic management includes a broad range of interventions aimed at promoting lung recruitment. During general anesthesia, these strategies have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in improving intraoperative oxygenation and respiratory compliance. Yet these same intraoperative strategies may fail to affect additional postoperative pulmonary outcomes. Specific attention to the postoperative period may be key for such outcome impact of lung expansion. Interventions such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilatory support may be beneficial in specific patients at high risk for pulmonary atelectasis (e.g., obese) or those with clinical presentations consistent with lung collapse (e.g., postoperative hypoxemia after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgeries). Preoperative interventions may open new opportunities to minimize perioperative lung collapse and prevent pulmonary complications. Knowledge of pathophysiologic mechanisms of atelectasis and their consequences in the healthy and diseased lung should provide the basis for current practice and help to stratify and match the intensity of selected interventions to clinical conditions.
Topics: Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Lung; Manometry; Obesity; Perioperative Care; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Pulmonary Atelectasis; Respiration, Artificial; Risk Factors; Smoking
PubMed: 34710217
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000004009 -
Dysphagia Apr 2023The pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is multifactorial. The severity of abnormal reflux burden corresponds to the dysfunction of the antireflux... (Review)
Review
The pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is multifactorial. The severity of abnormal reflux burden corresponds to the dysfunction of the antireflux barrier and inability to clear refluxate. The crural diaphragm is one of the main components of the esophagogastric junction and plays an important role in preventing gastroesophageal reflux. The diaphragm, as a skeletal muscle, is partially under voluntary control and its dysfunction can be improved via breathing exercises. Thus, diaphragmatic breathing training (DBT) has the potential to alleviate symptoms in selected patients with GERD. High-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) is a useful method for the assessment of antireflux barrier function and can therefore elucidate the mechanisms responsible for gastroesophageal reflux. We hypothesize that HRM can help define patient phenotypes that may benefit most from DBT, and that HRM can even help in the management of respiratory physiotherapy in patients with GERD. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current data supporting physiotherapeutic practices in the treatment of GERD and to illustrate how HRM may guide treatment strategies focused on respiratory physiotherapy.
Topics: Humans; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Esophagogastric Junction; Manometry; Breathing Exercises
PubMed: 35842548
DOI: 10.1007/s00455-022-10494-6 -
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology... Feb 2021Dysphagia has been reported to be relatively common and seems to be increased in Korea. Dysphagia can be classified as oropharyngeal dysphagia or esophageal dysphagia.... (Review)
Review
Dysphagia has been reported to be relatively common and seems to be increased in Korea. Dysphagia can be classified as oropharyngeal dysphagia or esophageal dysphagia. In patients with swallowing difficulties, it is important to determine whether the dysphagia is oropharyngeal or esophageal. Patients with orophayngeal dysphagia are likely to develop aspiration and aspiration pneumonia, so accurate diagnosis should be made in the early stages of complaining of swallowing difficulties. Patients with orophayngeal dysphagia complained difficulty initiating a swallow. Swallowing may be accompanied by coughing, choking, nasopharyngeal regurgitation, aspiration, and a sensation of residual food remaining in the pharynx. Patients with esophageal dysphagia complained difficulty swallowing several seconds after initiating a swallow and a sensation of food getting stuck in the esophagus. Esophageal dysphagia should be characterized by analyzing whether foods that cause swallowing difficulties are solid, liquids or both, whether symptoms are progressive or intermittent, how severe, and associated symptoms, such as weight loss, heartburn, or regurgitation. The approach to diagnostic testing to determine the cause of esophageal dysphagia is based upon the medical history. If esophageal motility disorder is suspected, barium esophagogram is performed first, and upper endoscopy is performed first if structural abnormalities are suspected. If an upper endoscopy shows normal findings, but the esophagus is still suspected of mechanical obstruction, a barium esophagogram is performed. Esophageal manometry should be performed in patients with swallowing difficulties who are suspected of esophageal motility disorder or have normal findings in upper endoscopy.
Topics: Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Motility Disorders; Humans; Manometry; Pharynx
PubMed: 33632995
DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2021.017 -
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Sep 2022Anorectal manometry (ARM) comprehensively assesses anorectal sensorimotor functions. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anorectal manometry (ARM) comprehensively assesses anorectal sensorimotor functions.
PURPOSE
This review examines the indications, techniques, interpretation, strengths, and weaknesses of high-resolution ARM (HR-ARM), 3-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry (3D-HR-ARM), and portable ARM, and other assessments (i.e., rectal sensation and rectal balloon expulsion test) that are performed alongside manometry. It is based on a literature search of articles related to ARM in adults. HR-ARM and 3D-HR-ARM are useful for diagnosing defecatory disorders (DD), to identify anorectal sensorimotor dysfunction and guide management in patients with fecal incontinence (FI), constipation, megacolon, and megarectum; and to screen for anorectal structural (e.g., rectal intussusception) abnormalities. The rectal balloon expulsion test is a useful, low-cost, radiation-free, outpatient assessment tool for impaired evacuation that is performed and interpreted in conjunction with ARM. The anorectal function tests should be interpreted with reference to age- and sex-matched normal values, clinical features, and results of other tests. A larger database of technique-specific normal values and newer paradigms of analyzing anorectal pressure profiles will increase the precision and diagnostic utility of HR-ARM for identifying abnormal mechanisms of defecation and continence.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Constipation; Defecation; Humans; Manometry; Rectum
PubMed: 35220645
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14335 -
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Apr 2021The Chicago Classification v4.0 (CCv4.0) is the updated classification scheme for esophageal motility disorders using metrics from high-resolution manometry (HRM). A key... (Review)
Review
The Chicago Classification v4.0 (CCv4.0) is the updated classification scheme for esophageal motility disorders using metrics from high-resolution manometry (HRM). A key feature of CCv.4.0 is the more rigorous and expansive protocol that incorporates single wet swallows acquired in different positions (supine, upright) and provocative testing, including multiple rapid swallows and rapid drink challenge. Additionally, solid bolus swallows, solid test meal, and/or pharmacologic provocation can be used to identify clinically relevant motility disorders and other conditions (eg, rumination) that occur during and after meals. The acquisition and analysis for performing these tests and the evidence supporting their inclusion in the Chicago Classification protocol is detailed in this technical review. Provocative tests are designed to increase the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of HRM studies for disorders of esophageal motility. These changes attempt to minimize ambiguity in prior iterations of Chicago Classification, decrease the proportion of HRM studies that deliver inconclusive diagnoses and increase the number of patients with a clinically relevant diagnosis that can direct effective therapy. Another aim in establishing a standard manometry protocol for motility laboratories around the world is to facilitate procedural consistency, improve diagnostic reliability, and promote collaborative research.
Topics: Deglutition; Esophageal Motility Disorders; Esophagus; Humans; Manometry; Patient Positioning
PubMed: 33729668
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14120 -
Current Gastroenterology Reports Sep 2020Objective measurement of anorectal sensorimotor function is a requisite component in the clinical evaluation of patients with intractable symptoms of anorectal... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Objective measurement of anorectal sensorimotor function is a requisite component in the clinical evaluation of patients with intractable symptoms of anorectal dysfunction. Regrettably, the utility of the most established and widely employed investigations for such measurement (anorectal manometry (ARM), rectal sensory testing and the balloon expulsion test) has been limited by wide variations in clinical practice.
RECENT FINDINGS
This article summarizes the recently published International Anorectal Physiology Working Group (IAPWG) consensus and London Classification of anorectal disorders, together with relevant allied literature, to provide guidance on the indications for, equipment, protocol, measurement definitions and results interpretation for ARM, rectal sensory testing and the balloon expulsion test. The London Classification is a standardized method and nomenclature for description of alterations in anorectal motor and sensory function using office-based investigations, adoption of which should bring much needed harmonization of practice.
Topics: Anal Canal; Anus Diseases; Humans; Manometry; Rectal Diseases; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 32935278
DOI: 10.1007/s11894-020-00793-z -
Pediatric Clinics of North America Apr 2019Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and GER disease (GERD) pertaining to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are reviewed, based on research in this specific... (Review)
Review
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and GER disease (GERD) pertaining to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are reviewed, based on research in this specific population. The developmental biology of the gastroesophageal junction, physiology of GER, and pathophysiology of GERD in this setting are summarized, and risk factors for GER and GERD identified. The epidemiology, economic burden, and controversies surrounding GERD in NICU infants are addressed, and an approach to GER and GERD in these patients formulated. Recent advancements in individual assessment of GER and GERD in the NICU infant are examined, and evidence-based guidelines for their adoption provided.
Topics: Esophageal Sphincter, Lower; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Manometry; Risk Factors
PubMed: 30819348
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.012 -
Respiratory Care Jun 2020The estimation of pleural pressure with esophageal manometry has been used for decades, and it has been a fertile area of physiology research in healthy subject as well... (Review)
Review
The estimation of pleural pressure with esophageal manometry has been used for decades, and it has been a fertile area of physiology research in healthy subject as well as during mechanical ventilation in patients with lung injury. However, its scarce adoption in clinical practice takes its roots from the (false) ideas that it requires expertise with years of training, that the values obtained are not reliable due to technical challenges or discrepant methods of calculation, and that measurement of esophageal pressure has not proved to benefit patient outcomes. Despites these criticisms, esophageal manometry could contribute to better monitoring, optimization, and personalization of mechanical ventilation from the acute initial phase to the weaning period. This review aims to provide a comprehensive but comprehensible guide addressing the technical aspects of esophageal catheter use, its application in different clinical situations and conditions, and an update on the state of the art with recent studies on this topic and on remaining questions and ways for improvement.
Topics: Catheters; Esophagus; Humans; Manometry; Monitoring, Physiologic; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Mechanics
PubMed: 32457170
DOI: 10.4187/respcare.07425