Oesophageal motility: recent advances and implications.

Oesophageal motility studies have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the physiology of the oesophagus. The abnormalities, particularly of the LOS, that occur in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease have been extensively studied. Although motility studies have relatively little impact on the clinical management of the majority of patients with oesophagitis, they are indicated when there is diagnostic doubt and most especially when surgical treatment is being considered. In numerical terms oesophageal motility studies are required most often for the investigation of obscure dysphagia or non-cardiac chest pain. Research is continuing to expand our knowledge of the oesophageal dysmotility syndromes.