Motility Procedures
UC San Diego Health System provides state-of-the art diagnostic tests to evaluate digestive system disorders relating to motility. Read about these procedures below. Also see
Advanced Endoscopy.
Esophageal pH testing measures the acidity in your esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a disease causing digestive enzymes, acid and food from the stomach to travel backwards through the lower esophageal sphincter and into esophagus. Esophageal pH monitoring involves having a tiny sensor placed in your esophagus for 24 to 96 hours. The sensor measures and transmits pH data back to a receiver (the size of a cell phone) worn on your waistband or in your pocket. The GI Motility Center downloads and analyzes the data to determine a GERD diagnosis or the effectiveness of treatment.
High resolution esophageal manometry, also known as esophageal motility study, evaluates the coordination of contractions in your esophagus as well as the strength of the lower esophageal sphincter. The test involves having a thin flexible tube passed through your nose and down your esophagus. Esophageal manometry helps determine diagnoses for achalasia, nutcracker esophagus, diffuse esophageal spasm, dysphagia, esophageal pain and reflux disease.
Patient instructions for Esophageal Manometry.
High Definition Anal Manometry
In an anal manometry test, a probe is inserted into the anal canal to measure sensation in the rectum and the pressure exerted by the sphincter muscles. Anal manometry is used to evaluate fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
Patient instructions for Anal Manometry.
Hydrogen Breath Testing
Hydrogen breath testing is a noninvasive way to evaluate people with irritable bowel syndrome, bacterial overgrowth in the intestine and food intolerances. It involves taking a base reading of hydrogen or methane in the breath; consuming a substance, such as lactose when testing for lactose intolerance, and repeating the breath test for a period of time to monitor the change against the base test.
Patient instructions for Hydrogen Breath Testing.
Testing for H-pylori bacteria can be accomplished in four ways; a blood antibody test, breath test, stool antigen test or stomach biopsy. UC San Diego Health System uses the less invasive breath test, which is not available at all clinics.
Patient instructions for H-Pylori Testing.
Antroduodenal Motility Function Using Smart Capsule
In this leading edge procedure, you ingest small capsule that has pressure, pH and temperature sensors. The signals from the capsule device are recorded telemetrically by a receiver you carry for 24 hours at home. The test records gastric emptying, small bowel transit, colon transit and whole gut transit time.
A barium swallow study is performed by our partners in radiology. In this procedure, you swallow a barium preparation, and its movement through your esophagus is tracked by x-ray. The test is useful for evaluating esophageal conditions such as achalasia, esophageal cancer, GERD, Zenker’s diverticulum and hiatal hernia.
Colorectal Transit Study
Also performed in radiology, a colorectal transit study evaluates how well food moves through the colon. The test involves swallowing capsules that has 22 markers, which are visible on an x-ray. Their movement is monitored by abdominal x-rays taken on the 5th day after ingestion of the capsule. A colorectal transit study may be used when diagnosing functional constipation, anorectal dysfunction and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Patient instructions for Colorectal Transit Study.