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F/U recent ACG-VGR "High-Resolution Manometry: Thinking beyond the Chicago Classification", @JPandolfinoMD answered Qs that u can encounter when reading #HRM routinely. Q&A posted on ACG circle @AmCollegeGastro. For #GITwitter who may not have access. Here are some (summarized)
1/
Q: How do u explain achalasia w/ NORMAL IRP. Isn't achalasia characterized by loss of nerves at LES=abnormal IRP?
Dr. Pandolfino: A few explanations-If u start w/ basal LES pressure of 12mmHg- u will naturally have an IRP < 15. Another issue is that HRM catheter...
2/
...only assesses contact & the mechanics of LES can be such that there is minimal contact-even though there is no relaxation. The HRM catheter is not the best tool to assess relaxation- u need strain measures in the muscle & need to see lengthening in the muscle...
3/
...Manometry just measures the IBP driving the LES open & if the esophageal pressures are low- u will not see an elevated IRP.
4/
Q: Our center is ONLY doing 10 upright swallows w/ pt seated on a chair (not supine). How does that affect interpretation of the study?
Dr. Pandolfino: I would at least change positions in pts with a high IRP- u ll see that it resolves in many pts...
5/
...The new CC 4.0 will come out and state that you need to do manometry in two positions- especially if you see an elevated IRP.
6/
Q: I have a couple pts w/ mechanical obstruction due to slipped Nissen. HRM was suggestive of EGJOO-is this due to slipped Nissen or true lack of relaxation? Would they benefit from LES Botox?
Dr. Pandolfino: Likely mechanical w/ a tight wrap. I have only seen 2 cases where...
7/
...patients had achalasia when they presented w/ a post-fundo obstruction/dysphagia profile and I have seen 100's of patients with a tight or slipped wrap. It is almost always the wrap-especially if there is evidence of hernia.
8/
Q: Do you think #endoFLIP will be required for the next Chicago classification?
Dr. Pandolfino: NO

Q: How much does an esophageal manometry cost/ barium swallow?
Dr. Pandolfino: Different at different hospitals and centers - ASC-- Manometry is around 250- 600
9/
Q: How do u measure the IRP in pt w/ medium or large hiatal hernia? How would u place the eSleeve box & gastric baseline?
Dr. Pandolfino: I measure it around the LES & CD separately using the gastric marker in the hernia sac for the LES & the gastric marker in the stomach...
10/
...for the crural diaphragm. Most obstructions in hernia are at the crura-- if you see a high IRP at the LES in a large hernia- it is usually a contact artifact from angulation.
11/
Q: The problem w/ having multiple metrics to validate EGJOO relevance (FLIP, TBE, RDC, solid meal, etc) is that some may be positive & others negative. Do u use any hierarchical order to decide?
12/
Dr. Pandolfino: Yes-TBE w/ tablet is the best, but a FLIP with a DI >3.5 virtually rules it out. If you have a FLIP during the index endoscopy that has RACs and a DI >3.5- you are done-- they have normal motility.
13/
Q: Is there any benefit to doing upright swallows prior to the 10 supine swallows to allow catheter to be placed or to more easily to identify coiling?
Dr. Pandolfino: That is OK- as long as you do both positions and use the provocative swallows- order is not that important.
14/
Q: Seems like there are many explanations for ⬆️ IRP that is “fake” (contact artifact, hernia, etc), but what about a falsely low IRP? Have had a few pts w/ clear outflow obstruction on esophagram and/or FLIP & then an IRP of 8 on manometry which I find hard to explain...
15/
...Dr. Pandolfino: Semantics. The low IRP is showing u that the sphincter is relaxed and not touching the catheter- but it may not open well because the sphincter still doesn't relax or the mechanics are off as it may not be elastic due to fibrosis, hypertrophy.
16/
Q: Can u speak to the process of endoscopic placement? I am particularly concerned w/ effect of sedation, which meds he uses, timing of the study after sedation & placement.
Dr. Pandolfino: We do this all the time-have not had major issues with crazy measurements...
17/
...Let the patient recover for 60 minutes and they are usually fine.
18/
Q: What do would u do w/ an image of pseudorelaxation of LES and shortening of the esophagus?
Dr. Pandolfino: It depends on whether the sphincter is relaxing. If not- I measures the IRP through the sphincter and extend the eSleeve.
19/
What is your opinion of the new term POSED for post-bariatric patients?
Dr. Pandolfino: No real opinion-- I think foregut surgery is tough on the esophagus and the esophagus likes to have a wide pen empty stomach to empty into.
20/
Q: Does sildenafil affect FLIP measurements?
Dr. Pandolfino: Yes- it will reduce motility and increase EGJ-DI slightly during distention
21/
Q: Does he also go with a cut off of 5 cm for TBS abnormality or follow some other cut off for abnormal TBS?
Dr. Pandolfino: Yes- I use 5 cm as a cut-off. But to be honest- I like to see the esophagus empty at 5 minutes to feel like the patient is going to do well.
22/
Q: Please elaborate on interpretation of % liquid and viscous impedance done during him.
Dr. Pandolfino: Don't do viscous anymore- never helped. Impedance needs to evolve more and now I use it as a loos guide.
23/
Q: What are ur concerns for LES fibrosis induced by botox?
Dr. Pandolfino: I do have concerns-I have seen a lot of injury & would rather use viagra or provide definitive Rx. My only perforation was in a pt that had multiple BoTox injections & they had fibrosis ➡️ popped open.
24/
Dysphagia for liquids only. How do you treat?
Dr. Pandolfino: Make sure you get a speech path eval-- this is odd for just the esophagus -- if they can handle solids.
25/
Post-prandial HRM, do u complete ur protocol, stop, & then have them eat, & replace catheter?
Dr. Pandolfino: No-they eat w/ catheter in place-they tolerate it & I don't worry about the drift as u r looking for major pressure changes.
26/
When you have a patient who you think is evolving to a major disorder but manometry/TBE is not definitive, when do you bring them back from another study? 6 months, 12 months? Symptom evolution?
Dr. Pandolfino: 6 months- usually for an esophagram
27/
3D-HRM could be useful in confirming achalasia, in inability to study EGJ w/ standard catheter.
Dr. Pandolfino: I find 3D assessment not that useful-it has a lot of contact artifact-just my opinion.

For solid swallows, what do u use in your protocol?
Dr. Pandolfino: Crackers
28/
Why should endoFLIP not replace HRM for suspected Achalasia after endoscopy?
Dr. Pandolfino: I think it can in unequivocal cases-but u have to be careful in equivocal cases. Normal esophagus, borderline DI 1-2 & some contractions in esophagus-just get a mano to make sure.
29/
Do you think that a small hiatal hernia or Schatzki ring really can cause EGJOO?
Dr. Pandolfino: Yes-a small hernia can & Tom Demeester described this on barium studies years ago. They get a pinched cardia & sometimes u just miss it but see it when you change positions as ...
30/
...it gets worse. Rings have to have a sufficient diameter change-less than 15mm as u can see a ramp up of the IBP. I think subtle stenosis from transmural inflammation at the LES in GERD can cause fibrosis & poor opening & that can also be associated w/ a small hernia.
31/
Pt has jackhammer esophagus, EGJOO, w/ symptoms of chest pain, dysphagia. Persistent chest pain after myotomy. What’s your recommendation?
Dr. Pandolfino: Rethink the diagnosis & try sildenafil...
32/
...I would also look to see if the pt stills has a spastic segment that the myotomy has not addressed. Sometimes they blow out the myotomy if they still have contractions.
33/
In endoFLIP, it is regularly performed during endoscopy, what type of sedation medications should be administered?
Dr. Pandolfino: Sedation should not alter FLIP assessment. It is a secondary response and we have not seen major issues with moderate sedation or propofol.
34/
Pseudoachalasia vs Achalasia on HRM?
Dr. Pandolfino: Need pharmacologic assessment with amyl nitrite- otherwise it is difficult and based on clinical presentation and findings- in the surgical naïve patient- EUS can be helpful.
35/
We have Manoscan. Pt w/ high IRP (180) and 90% failed peristalsis, the software only calls EGJOO rather than achalasia. Is this a software issues, what else should I consider?
Dr. Pandolfino: That software is a tree algorithm- it is wrong about 15% of the time.
36/36
In young pts w/ rumination disorder-have you ever placed PEG for nutritional support while they r receiving cognitive therapy?
Dr. Pandolfino: No-would be nervous about PEG staying in place if someone was ruminating too much. They literally push the stomach up in the chest.
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