Utility of FLIP Technology in the Diagnosis of Patients with Esophageal Dysphagia: A case series

Abstract

Dysphagia is the sensation of difficulty in the passage of swallowed material from the mouth to the stomach and is a common symptom in adults. It can indicate a variety of conditions, ranging from severe etiologies to oropharyngeal dysfunctions that carry a risk of aspiration. Esophageal dysphagia is specifically related to disorders affecting the passage of the bolus through the esophagus, which may be caused by structural abnormalities or motility problems. To address esophageal dysphagia, study methods include upper digestive videoendoscopy and esophageal barium transit, the former being the recommended initial study. High-resolution esophageal manometry is essential for evaluating motility disorders, with the Chicago Classification (CCv4.0) used to categorize these disorders. Although high-resolution manometry is the gold standard, additional studies may be required if the results are uncertain. EndoFLIP has recently enabled more precise assessment of the esophageal function and the esophagogastric junction, providing three-dimensional information about the esophageal lumen, measuring areas and distensibility, which is useful for diagnosing disorders such as non-obstructive esophageal dysphagia and assessing the efficacy of treatments in the postoperative period. In the following work, we describe our preliminary experience in the use of this technology through a case series.