The use of high resolution manometry for the assessment of swallowing in infants and young children

The use of high resolution manometry for the assessment of swallowing in infants and young children. Objective: To describe the use and relevance of a novel technique, high-resolution manometry (HRM), to assess the mechanics of deglutition in patients with dysphagia. We present recent insights in the diagnosis of dysphagia in infants and young children through its use.

Methodology: Descriptive paper based on literature review and current clinical research.

Results: Technical aspects of HRM are described, and pilot data about normal and abnormal swallowing in the paediatric population are presented.

Discussion: HRM is the latest development in pressure recording and it is expected that it has high potential for the evaluation of swallowing in the paediatric population. The key advantages relate to the objective nature of the recordings, catheter positioning in the pharyngo-oesophageal segment and the performance of the analysis. Combined measurements with videofluoroscopy and intraluminal impedance for use in children are discussed.

Conclusion: HRM makes it possible to describe the biomechanics of the human swallow. Combining HRM with videofluoroscopy in high-resolution videomanometry makes it possible to relate the bolus flow to pressure-flow mechanical terms using objective parameters. The ability to describe the physiological/pathophysiological mechanisms of dysphagia may allow for the development of precise diagnostic criteria for the assessment of swallowing in infants and young children.