Neurogastroenterology and Motility Testing

A motility disorder, which inhibits the movement of food, liquid and waste through your digestive system, can cause pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and a wide range of other uncomfortable symptoms. Gastroenterologists in the Sutter Health network use advanced motility testing to measure the function of the digestive tract and make an accurate diagnosis. 

For example, we offer wireless motility capsule technology (SmartPill™), which measures transit times through the stomach, small bowel and colon, as well as contractions throughout the GI tract, to help diagnose disorders.

Other diagnostic tools include:

Esophageal Testing

• BRAVO® pH Monitoring – A wireless option that measures pH changes in the esophagus for 48 to 96 hours.
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)/Barostat Procedures — A multi-step test that involves having an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, followed by the use of a barostat tube that measures muscle function in the top part of the stomach.
• Esophageal EndoFLIP® – Captures vital measurements of the pressure and dimensions in the esophagus.
• Esophageal pH Impedance Monitoring – Detects nearly all gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) episodes, acid and nonacid, for 24 hours.
• High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry with Transit – Measures pressure within the esophagus and records and evaluates its muscular function. High-resolution solid-state catheters allow measurements of upper esophageal and pharyngeal contractions and coordination of the different parts of the esophagus.

Gastric Testing

• Electrogastrogram – Records stomach muscle electrical signals and conduction.
• Gastric Barostat Study – Measures changes in stomach volume and pressure. It can show whether the upper stomach relaxes adequately during eating and how much stomach filling it takes to cause discomfort.
• Gastric Emptying Study – Measures the flow of liquids or solids through the stomach.
• Pyloric EndoFLIP® – A special imaging probe measures function in the pyloric sphincter, the muscle that connects your stomach to the small intestine.
• Pyloric Manometry – Measures pressure in the pylorus sphincter.
• Temporary Gastric Stimulators — Devices used to assess whether a patient with gastroparesis will have a good responseto a permanent stimulator, which is used to relieve nausea and vomiting.

Small Bowel Testing

• Antroduodenal Gastrojejunal Manometry — Measures pressure waves in terms of strength and pattern in the stomach and adjacent small bowel.
• Hydrogen Breath Test — Detects and measures small bowel bacterial overgrowth to evaluate and investigate gastrointestinal disorders.

Colon and Anorectal Testing

• Anorectal (Gastrojejunal) Manometry — Measures anal pressure and rectal sensations, and assesses the nerve reflexes of patients with fecal incontinence or constipation.
• Colon Motility — Measures the degree of abnormal contractions and movement of stool in the colon.
• Defecography — An imaging exam that shows the rectum and anal canal changes that happen during a bowel movement.
• Colon Transit Study — This imaging test, also known as a Sitz marker study, measures how quickly food moves through the colon in patients with chronic constipation.
• Endorectal Endoscopic Ultrasound of the Anal Sphincter — An imaging exam to assess the structure and integrity of thesphincter muscles in patients with fecal incontinence.