Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring Delivering the best in care UHB is a no smoking Trust To see all of our current patient information leaflets please visit www.uhb.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets.htm
Instructions for oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring Prior to the test: Please do not eat or drink for 3 hours before test (unless you are diabetic then please eat as normal). If you should suffer with asthma, please continue to use your inhalers as directed by your GP. If you take medication for your heart, please continue to take this as directed by your GP. Please stop taking the following antacid medication seven days prior to the tests: Losec (Omeprazole) Protium (Pantoprazole) Zoton (Lansoprazole) Pariet (Rabeprazole) Nexium (Esomeprazole) Axid (Nizatidine) Please stop taking the following medication three days prior to the tests: Zantac (Ranitidine) Maxalon (Metaclopramide) Tagamet (Cimetidine) Cisapride (Prepulsid) Motilium (Domperidone) Please stop taking the following medication 24 hours prior to the tests: Gaviscon Tums Mucogel Algicon Rennies Maalox Buscopan Spasmonal Bisodol Nifedipine Asilone Topal Any simple antacid preparations from your local pharmacy. 2 Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring
Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring You have been asked to attend an appointment at hospital to have some tests carried out to investigate the functioning of your stomach and oesophagus (gullet). The tests will take approximately 30 minutes. What is the oesophagus? The oesophagus is a long muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach. Between the lower end of the oesophagus and the stomach there is a special sphincter muscle (a valve). The valve opens to allow food and drink to pass into the stomach but then closes again to prevent the stomach contents regurgitating (refluxing) back in to the oesophagus. What is the function of the oesophagus? Its function is to pass chewed food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach by progressive muscular contractions. TEST 1 oesophageal manometry What is the test for? The test is used to check that the nerves and muscles of the oesophagus are functioning properly. The test will also check that the valve at the top of the stomach is of normal pressure and opens and closes correctly. How is the test carried out? Your nostril will be sprayed with a short lasting freezing agent to stop you sneezing and minimise discomfort. A thin tube is passed gently around the inside of your nose. You will then be asked to drink a beaker of water through Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring 3
a straw, this will help the tube to move through the throat and down the oesophagus into the stomach. You will be able to breathe normally at all times during the procedure. Once the tube is in place you will feel a lump sensation in your throat. It is not painful, just a little uncomfortable and should settle down quite quickly. You will then be asked to lie down on your back on a couch with one pillow. In order to measure the muscles of the oesophagus, we will attach the other end of the tube to a recorder for a period of 10 minutes. You will be asked to be still and quiet with relaxed breathing. You will also be asked to swallow small mouthfuls of water at regular intervals until the test is complete. TEST 2 24-hour ph (acid) monitoring What is the test for? This test allows us to measure the amount and severity of acidic stomach contents that maybe leaking-up from the stomach into the oesophagus. These measurements are taken for a 24-hour period so that we can see what happens after your meals and at night when you are asleep. The test will also show us how well your symptoms are related to the presence of acid in your oesophagus. How is the test carried out? Your nostril will be sprayed again with a short lasting freezing agent to stop you sneezing and minimise discomfort. A thin tube with a small probe on the end is gently passed 4 Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring
around your nose. You will be asked to drink a beaker of water through a straw, this will help the tube to move through the throat and down the oesophagus. You will be able to breathe normally at all times. Once the tube is in place you will feel a lump sensation in your throat. It is not painful, just a little uncomfortable and should settle down within 30 minutes. This time the end of the tube will be positioned in the oesophagus, above the stomach. The tube will be taped securely to the outside of your nose, passed around your ear and attached to a small recording box which is worn on a shoulder strap or on a belt around your waist. You will be given a set of instructions before you leave and will be asked to fill in a special diary of your meals, bedtime and symptoms. You will be sent home and be able to eat, sleep and carry out your normal daily routines. You will return the following day to have the tube removed. Removal of the tube takes a few seconds and is painless. Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring 5
Frequently asked questions What is the benefit of having these tests done? The main benefit of the tests is that the physician has clear documentation of the muscle function of the oesophagus and the degree of acid reflux. Using the information from these tests your physician can plan any treatment that you may require or provide reassurance if the tests are normal. What are the risks and side effects of these tests? Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour acid monitoring tests are generally very safe. The tests may cause slight discomfort in the nose and the throat but should not be painful. The discomfort can be minimised by spraying the nostril with local anaesthetic. You may also feel slightly sick when the tube is first positioned in the oesophagus but this should settle down quite quickly. Other side effects of these tests are minor and can include a mild sore throat, nosebleed, a runny nose, vomiting, fainting or wheezing. However, these side effects can be easily and quickly dealt with at the time. There is a very small risk that the probe could damage the oesophagus however, this is very unlikely as the catheter is flexible and the GI Physiologist who does the test has specialised training and is very experienced. During the tests, the majority of patients are able to eat and sleep as normal and go about their daily activities. However, some prefer not to work because they feel self-conscious about having a tube coming out of their nose. If you have any allergies, please inform the GI physiologist who does your test before the test begins. Please inform your GI physiologist by telephone if you are pregnant, prior to your appointment. 6 Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring
Are there alternatives to oesophageal manometry and 24-hour acid monitoring? Nothing can take the place of oesophageal manometry and 24-hour acid monitoring. However, other studies are used to investigate other aspects of oesophageal function, the results of which will provide complimentary information. For example, an Endoscopy can be carried out to view the lining of the oesophagus or a barium swallow will allow viewing of the anatomy of the swallowing muscles and oesophagus. Will the test be painful? The tests are not painful and you will not need sedation. However you will have the feeling of a lump sensation in your throat whilst the tube for each test is in position. Your throat may feel slightly rough or uncomfortable for a short time after the test. This can be eased by gargling with salty water. Is the probe safe? Please do not worry, the probe is very small and safe. Even if you sneeze, cough or vomit, the probe will not come out. Are there any special instructions for after the tests? You may go back to your normal routine You will be able to drive afterwards if you wish You can eat and drink as normal When you have returned after 24 hours to have the second tube removed you may restart any medication that we may have asked you to stop When will I get my results? The readings of your tests will be analysed by your physiologist (an expert in how the body functions) and the results will be sent to your consultant. Your consultant will then discuss the results with you at your next clinic appointment. Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour ph monitoring 7
P Mindelsohn Way P Queen Elizabeth Hospitals For all appointments in the Outpatients area of the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, please enter through the main entrance 1 and check in using the self check-in kiosks. Parking on the Queen Elizabeth Hospitals site When visiting our hospitals we recommend the following car parks: For the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham use Car Park A (sat nav postcode B15 2WB please note this takes you to Mindelsohn Way and will only work if you have updated your sat nav. When on the hospital site, please follow signs for Car Park A) For the Old Queen Elizabeth Hospital use Car Park D (sat nav postcode B15 2TH) Hospital entrances 1 Outpatients & all wards/departments (new hospital) 3 All wards & departments (old hospital) 2 Cancer Centre 4 East Block Day Unit Key P Disabled Parking Parking Bus Stop Centro / West Midlands Travel Pedestrian Route Taxi rank TAXI Drop-off only The shuttle bus is a free service to transport patients and visitors to various locations around the site. The service runs from 07:00-19:00 Monday- Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). 61, 63, 64 61, 63, 64 Harborne Lane Gibbins Road Bristol Road A38 Selly Oak Birmingham Harborne Lane Aston Webb Boulevard Aston Webb Boulevard Mindelsohn Crescent Vincent Drive Mindelsohn Way Harborne Park Road Mindelsohn Way Hospital Way New QEHB Parking Car Park A Visitor and Patient TAXI Vincent Drive Metchley Lane Busy Bees Nursery CDU Birmingham Women s Hospital A&E The Barberry (BSMHFT) The Oleaster (BSMHFT) Access for residents only Harborne Vincent Drive closed to vehicles Access to Busy Bees and Staff Car Park F only Selly Oak New Fosse Way 48, 99 647 New Fosse Way Staff Car Park F Staff Car Park B1 11, 48 11, 48 Outpatients Post Graduate Centre Medical School University Station New Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Cancer Centre Old Queen Elizabeth Hospital THQ Haematology OPD Mindelsohn Way 99, 647 48, 647 48, 99, 647 64, 76 84, 98 48, 64, 76, 84, 98, 99, 647 64, 76 84, 98 Car Parking Charges 0-1 hour 2.70 3 hours 4.00 4 hours 4.60 5 hours 5.30 6 hours 6.00 8 hours 6.60 Over 8 hours 13.30 Weekly Pass 18.60 48, 98, 99 48, 98, 99 1 Vincent Drive Nuffield House Morris Sports Centre 48, 98, 99 48, 98, 99 2 Info Desk Main Entrance Patient/Visitor 3 Fisher House Visitor / Patient Car Park D Old QE Parking Metchley Park Road Hintlesham Avenue www.uhb.nhs.uk 4 Appointment Letter Map. Correct at 23 October 2013. PI13/0374/06 UHB/PI/0374 Author: Joanne Hayes Date: March 2014 Review date: March 2016