Esophageal manometry
This test measures the pressure and coordination of the esophageal muscles during
swallowing. It helps determine how the esophagus moves food and how the lower esophageal
sphincter functions.
- How is it performed?
- A thin flexible catheter is passed through the nose into the esophagus. During the test, the patient swallows small sips of water while the system measures muscle activity.
- What can it diagnose?
- Achalasia, swallowing disorders, esophageal motility disorders and functional assessment before selected reflux treatments.
Anorectal manometry
This test evaluates the function of the anus, rectum and pelvic floor muscles. It is
especially important in chronic constipation, difficulty evacuating or a blockage sensation.
- How is it performed?
- A short thin catheter is inserted into the rectum. Pressures, sensation and muscle coordination are measured during squeezing, relaxation and simulated evacuation.
- What can it diagnose?
- Pelvic floor dyssynergia, evacuation disorders, sphincter weakness and rectal sensory disorders.
pH monitoring
This test measures acid exposure in the esophagus over 24 hours or longer. It helps
evaluate whether symptoms such as heartburn, cough, hoarseness or chest pain are related
to reflux.
- How is it performed?
- A thin catheter is passed through the nose into the esophagus and connected to a small recorder. The patient continues normal activity and records symptoms as instructed.
- What can it diagnose?
- Acid reflux, the relationship between symptoms and reflux events, and treatment response in selected cases.
BRAVO capsule
Wireless acid monitoring with a small capsule temporarily attached to the esophagus.
Its advantage is longer monitoring without a catheter through the nose.
- How is it performed?
- The capsule is attached to the esophageal lining during a short gastroscopy and transmits data to an external receiver. After several days, it detaches naturally.
- What can it diagnose?
- Acid reflux, atypical reflux symptoms and cases where the relationship between symptoms and esophageal acid exposure is unclear.
Gastroscopy
An endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It allows direct
visualization, biopsies and selected therapeutic procedures when needed.
- How is it performed?
- The test is performed with a thin flexible camera, usually under sedation. The instrument is passed through the mouth to examine the upper digestive tract.
- What can it diagnose?
- Esophagitis, gastritis, ulcers, strictures, EoE, celiac disease, bleeding, reflux and findings that require biopsy.
Colonoscopy
An endoscopic examination of the colon and sometimes the end of the small intestine.
It is used to evaluate symptoms and to detect and remove polyps.
- How is it performed?
- After bowel preparation, a colonoscope is inserted through the anus, usually under sedation. Biopsies can be taken and polyps can be removed during the test.
- What can it diagnose?
- Polyps, bowel inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, causes of bleeding, chronic diarrhea, changes in bowel habits and colon cancer screening findings.
EndoFLIP interpretation
EndoFLIP evaluates the opening and distensibility of areas in the digestive tract,
especially the junction between the esophagus and stomach. It can add information to
manometry and gastroscopy.
- How is it performed?
- During endoscopy, a dedicated measuring balloon is used to assess diameter, pressure and distensibility. Professional interpretation of the result can help guide care.
- What can it diagnose?
- Esophagogastric junction disorders, achalasia, strictures and functional assessment after selected esophageal treatments.
Gastric emptying scan
This test evaluates how quickly the stomach empties after a meal. It is important when
gastroparesis or post-meal symptoms are suspected.
- How is it performed?
- The patient eats a meal labeled with a small amount of radioactive tracer. Images are taken at scheduled times to measure gastric emptying.
- What can it diagnose?
- Gastroparesis, slow or rapid gastric emptying, and evaluation of nausea, vomiting, early satiety and bloating after meals.
Sitzmark colon transit capsule
This test evaluates how long material takes to move through the bowel, mainly the colon.
It can help evaluate chronic constipation and distinguish slow transit from evacuation difficulty.
- How is it performed?
- The patient swallows a capsule containing small markers visible on abdominal X-ray. After several days, an abdominal X-ray shows how many markers remain and where they are located.
- What can it diagnose?
- Slow colonic transit, constipation patterns and the need for additional evaluation such as anorectal manometry or pelvic floor assessment.
Breath tests for lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Non-invasive tests that measure gases in the breath after drinking a dedicated solution.
They help evaluate selected intolerances and possible causes of bloating, gas, abdominal
pain or diarrhea.
- How are they performed?
- After appropriate preparation, the patient drinks lactose, fructose or another solution and breathes into a device at set intervals to measure hydrogen and methane.
- What can they diagnose?
- Lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, suspected small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and the relationship between symptoms and intestinal sugar fermentation.
