Oesophageal Manometry

These tests are used to determine whether you have a swallowing disorder, as your doctor suspects that this may be the cause of your symptoms. A firm diagnosis may help your doctor to treat you in the best way possible and relieve your symptoms.

Although having a tube inserted into your nose may feel uncomfortable and strange, there are no risks or adverse effects from the procedure. This means that there may be some discomfort but the procedure cannot cause you any harm. We will discuss this with you in detail before starting your tests.

As with most tests, this tests forms one part of the jigsaw of information, which your doctor will collect to try to treat you as well as possible.

If you do not wish to undertake this test for any reason, we will simply let your doctor know so that he or she can consider other options. Although it would be useful to have this information, they will continue to treat you as well as possible without it.

This test is the definitive test for the diagnosis of some disorders of the oesophagus and there is no alternative which gives exactly the same information. However, your symptom history and other tests, such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or a barium swallow, may help the doctor diagnose your problem.

Oesophageal manometry is an outpatient procedure which does not require any sedation and you will not need to be accompanied to the hospital.

You must not have anything to eat or drink (except for water) for four hours before your appointment.

Please continue to take all of your current medication as you would normally. If your doctor has advised you differently, please contact us (using the details in the Contact details section below) to check.

We will explain the test to you fully when you come to the department and you will have the chance to ask any questions that you might have. Please do not hesitate to ask questions or voice any worries.

If you decide to go ahead with the test, you are confirming that you agree to have the test and understand what it involves. This is known as verbal consent.

You will be asked to sit comfortably on the side of the couch with your chin tilted down. A thin tube (manometry catheter) will be passed through your nose, into your oesophagus, and down to your stomach. As the tube goes down it may cause your eyes to water and you may retch but the procedure is not painful and once the tube is in place you will feel better. Your breathing will not be affected. 

You will then be asked to swallow some salty water, and then some rice, so that the movement of your oesophagus can be recorded with both liquids and solids. Normally, this takes no more than 10-15 minutes. The tube is then removed quickly and easily. We may need to keep the tube in for longer in order to record your usual symptoms.

You will not be sedated and therefore you will be able to travel home and continue with your normal activities immediately after the test. This leaflet gives you all the relevant contact details should you have any problems. 

The results of the tests will be put into a report which will be reviewed by the Unit Consultant and then sent to your referring doctor. A copy will also be saved onto the hospital system and sent to your GP. When you return to see your doctor (for example at the outpatient clinic at UCH, at another hospital, or your GP surgery) the test results and any appropriate treatment will be discussed with you.

Although this is a specialist test, it is a well-recognised procedure which has been undertaken for many years and information is readily available when you search online. 

Note: UCLH cannot accept responsibility for information provided by other organisations. 

Alternatively, please ask you hospital doctor or GP, or contact the GI Physiology Unit, if you require further information.

This information page tells you about oesophageal manometry but if you have read the leaflet and have any queries please contact the GI Physiology Unit. 

Address: GI Physiology Unit University College Hospital, Lower Ground Floor, EGA Wing, 235 Euston Road, London, WC1E 6DB 

Telephone: 020 3447 9130 (Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00) 

Switchboard: 0203 456 7890 / 08451 555 000 

Email: UCLH.GIphysiology@nhs.net