Evaluation of esophageal motor disorders in the era of high-resolution manometry and intraluminal impedance.

The past few years were an exciting time in the study of esophageal motor disorders because new technologies emerged to study esophageal motor function and bolus transit. Although conventional manometry was long considered the "gold standard" for defining esophageal motor disorders, many technologic improvements occurred due to advances in transducer technology, computerization, and graphic data presentation. In addition, a relatively new technology, intraluminal impedance, was incorporated into manometric modalities. The most sophisticated systems now include combined high-resolution manometry with high-resolution impedance. Although these techniques provide more detailed information about esophageal function, whether they improve our ability to diagnose and treat patients more effectively is debatable. However, more recent data support that these advances actually improve our ability to diagnose and treat esophageal motor disorders. This article provides an update on these technologies in clinical practice and how they may be helpful in the future.