Role of esophageal manometry in children with refractory gastroesophageal reflux symptoms

Role of Esophageal High-Resolution Manometry in Pediatric Patients

PURPOSE

Dysphagia, vomiting and feeding difficulties are common symptoms, with which children present. Esophageal function testing with high resolution manometry can help in diagnosing and treating these patients. We aim to access the clinical utility of high-resolution manometry of esophagus in symptomatic pediatric patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was done on all symptomatic patients who underwent esophageal high-resolution manometry between 2010 and 2019 at Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia. Manometry results were categorized based on Chicago classification. Demographic data, indication of procedure, manometric findings, and details of treatment changes were obtained and analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 62 patients with median age of 10 years (9 months-18 years). The main indication for the procedure was dysphagia (56%). Thirty-two percent of patients had a co-morbid condition, with esophageal atresia accounting for 16%. The majority (77%) of patients had abnormal manometry which included, ineffective esophageal motility in 45.2%. In esophageal atresia cohort, esophageal pressurization was seen in 50%, aperistalsis in 40% and 10% with prior fundoplication had esophago-gastric junction obstruction. Patients with esophago-gastric junction obstruction or achalasia were treated by either pneumatic dilation or Heller's myotomy. Patients with ineffective esophageal motility and rumination were treated with a trial of prokinetics/dietary texture modification and diaphragmatic breathing.

CONCLUSION

Esophageal high-resolution manometry has a role in the evaluation of symptomatic pediatric patients. The majority of our patients had abnormal results which led to change in treatments, with either medication, surgery and/or feeding modification with resultant improvement in symptoms.

Role of esophageal manometry and 24-h pH testing in patients with refractory reflux symptoms

BACKGROUND

A proportion of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) do not respond to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the findings on high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) and 24-h pH recording in patients with typical GERD symptoms, refractory to PPI treatment.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of patients referred for HREM and 24-h pH recording was done. We selected patients who were referred for evaluation of refractory GERD symptoms despite > 8 weeks of at least once-daily PPI treatment. Details noted were demographic profile, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy report, HREM findings and 24-h pH findings.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients had symptoms of GERD that were refractory to PPI therapy. Seven patients (7.1%) were diagnosed having diseases mimicking GERD: eosinophilic esophagitis (n=2), supragastric belching (n=4) and rumination (n=1). After excluding these patients and those with insufficient data, the final study cohort included 82 cases. Fifty patients (61%) had normal motility. Major motility disorders were detected in 8 (9.75%) patients: achalasia cardia (6) and distal esophageal spasm (2). Ineffective esophageal motility was noted in 24 patients. A total of 74 patients underwent 24-h pH testing. Significant acid reflux with good symptom correlation was noted in 56 patients. Eighteen patients did not have significant acid reflux (Johnson-DeMeester score < 14.7): hypersensitive esophagus (12) and functional heartburn (6).

CONCLUSION

Fifty-six patients (68.3%) had definite diagnosis of GERD and 31.7% (26) had non-GERD conditions like motility disorders, functional heartburn and hypersensitive esophagus.