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Background: The confirmatory test for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is manometry (SOM) which may be hazardous. When SOM is equivocal, the decision to treat by sphincterotomy, entailing further risk, [...]

Background: Children with abdominal pain, vomiting, and/or bloating often have gastric dysfunction such as delayed gastric emptying (GE). GE studies on children are difficult to perform due to the necessity [...]

Background and Aims: Enteral feed given as a bolus has a half emptying time (t 1/2) of 90 min. No data are available on gastric emptying patterns during continuous nasogastric [...]

Introduction: Identification of LOS by visual inspection at endoscopy is unreliable and often impossible. Knowledge of the sphincter position detected by station pull through manometry (SPM) can not be effectively [...]

Introduction: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) represents a difficult diagnostic challenge. Sphincter of Oddi manometry is the gold standard diagnostic method, but this is technically difficult, carries significant risk, and [...]

Introduction: Patients with globus sensation are usually referred to an ENT specialist for possible malignancy. However, in most patients, flexible laryngoscopy shows no abnormalities, and further management is often unclear. [...]

Compares the symptomatic and physiological response to the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GORD) by proton pump inhibitors and by laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Relationship between symptom severity and objective evidence of GORD after medical and surgical treatment; Relationship between the patient's subjectiveand objective response to treatment of GORD.

Little is known about the effect of achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on compliance of the esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Twenty-two patients with achalasia, 14 with GERD, and 14 asymptomatic volunteers were assessed. Recording apparatus consisted of a specially developed PVC bag tied to a compliance catheter, a barostat, and a polygraph. Intrabag pressures were increased incrementally while the bag volume was recorded. In each subject, pressure-volume graphs were constructed for both the esophageal body and LES and the compliance calculated. In achalasia, compliance of the esophageal body was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in controls, whereas LES compliance was similar. Patients with GERD had a highly compliant LES in comparison to both controls and to patients with achalasia (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively); however there was no difference in their esophageal body compliance. In conclusion, foregut motility disorders can cause changes in organ compliance that are detectable using a barostat and a suitably designed compliance bag. Further measurement of compliance may provide clues to the pathogenesis of these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric emptying may be delayed in HIV infection. We aimed to characterize the pattern of gastric emptying in HIV seropositive subjects and correlate the findings with symptoms, as well as to identify possible etiological factors. Solid gastric emptying was measured using scintigraphy in 54 HIV seropositive subjects and 12 HIV seronegative controls. Gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated using a standardized numerical score, and autonomic function was assessed using spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Fasting and postprandial duodenojejunal activity was recorded using strain gauge manometry catheters. Gastric emptying rate, but not lag phase, was significantly delayed in HIV-infected subjects, particularly those with enteric infections and more advanced disease. Delayed gastric emptying did not correlate with symptoms, autonomic dysfunction, or small intestinal motility. In conclusion, abnormalities found in autonomic function and gastric emptying in HIV infection are multifactorial in nature. The contribution of upper gastrointestinal motor dysfunction to gastric symptoms in such individuals is unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

30 to 65% of long distance runners experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms related to exercise. Several hypotheses have been postulated; however, the aetiology and pathophysiology are far from clear. The mechanical effect of running on the viscera must be involved in the development of GI symptoms in this sport. Reduction of splanchnic blood flow due to visceral vasoconstriction is another widely supported theory; nevertheless, it does not explain many of the clinical findings. Examination of the GI tract during exercise is a difficult task, and measurements of both orocaecal and whole-gut transit time have shown equivocal results. GI hormones, and especially prostaglandins, may be of crucial importance for the production of symptoms. Intestinal absorption, secretion and permeability may also be altered during exercise, provoking intestinal dysfunction. Factors such as stress, diet, dehydration, infections and other factors need to be analysed in order to present a global view of the hypotheses regarding the aetiology of this common and often overlooked problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]