Rhythm abnormalities of the biliary and pancreatic sphincters: diagnosis by endoscopic manometry.

Abnormal phasic wave activity was noted in the biliary duct sphincter, pancreatic duct sphincter, or both in 43 patients. This abnormality consisted of a tachyrhythmia in 40 patients and absent phasic wave activity in 3 patients. Tachyrhythmia was encountered in patients with elevated basal sphincter pressures. In four patients with tachyrhythmia, administration of intravenous naloxone failed to modify phasic wave activity. Three patients with normal basal sphincter pressures had absent phasic wave activity. This abnormality occurred in two patients with cirrhosis and in one patient with suspected cirrhosis. In one patient with cirrhosis, administration of intravenous morphine did not induce phasic wave activity.