Location of the esophagus. Image from the National Institutes of Health

Esophageal manometry (man-AHM-eh-tree) is an examination that measures the pressures in your esophagus to see if it is working as it should.

To do the manometry, the doctor will ask you to swallow a very small flexible catheter tube. The catheter is attached to a complex machine. It allows the doctor to measure the muscle contractions along the esophagus to determine if they work normally. This test helps your doctor diagnose your illness and plan specific treatment.

Immediately before the manometry, you will be given a novocaine-like spray to numb your throat. No sedatives are given for this test, which lasts for about 15 minutes.

During the manometry, you may feel a gagging or coughing sensation, but these symptoms go away quickly.

After the test, do not eat or drink for two hours.

	see also:		Manometry Preparation

Your procedure will be performed at one of these two facilities:

Athens Regional Medical Center: Report directly to the Endoscopy Department in the North Tower. Park in the Short Term Parking lot off of Prince Avenue and enter through the North Tower entrance. You will register in the Endoscopy Department. The main number for Athens Regional is (706) 475-7000.

St. Mary's Hospital: Park in the Parking Deck off of Baxter Street. Report directly to Outpatient Registration near the Emergency Room. You will register there, and will be escorted to the Endoscopy Department. The main number for St. Mary's is (706) 354-3000.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our office at (706) 548-0058. If you have specific questions about the hospital where the procedure is to be performed, please call the hospital directly.

This information is from the Ohio State University Medical Center.

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