Antroduodenal Manometry is the study of the motor function of the distal stomach and proximal small intestine.  A catheter generally is place through the nose into the stomach and advanced to the duodenum. When other access is available (gastrostomy) it can be used to circumvent the discomfort of a nasal intubation.  Placement is done endoscopically, but can be accomplished with fluoroscopy alone.   The study takes place over 4 to 6 hours in order to observe the patient’s response to fasting, a meal, and various medicines (erythromycin, octreotide).

Why is antroduodenal manometry done?

Antroduodenal Manometry may be helpful in evaluating patients with a motor problem in the stomach.
These problems may be experienced as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or bloating. This test can
help to determine if the nerves and muscles of the intestine are working properly. It can also help to
understand if certain medicines are useful in improving abnormal motor patterns.

How is the procedure done?

The test is conducted at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital. A long catheter that measures motility is
placed during upper endoscopy while the patient is asleep. Usually this catheter will go from the nose
into the patients small intestine. After the patient wakes up he or she is admitted to the hospital
overnight. The next day the recording is started early in the morning. After two hours of not eating or
drinking anything the patient is given a full breakfast. After another 2 hours various medicines are given
to see if they can trigger normal motor patterns. When this is completed the catheter will be taken out
and the patient is discharged home. It normally takes about 2 weeks to complete the interpretation of
the recording.