A new, comprehensive Esophageal Motility Program has opened at Montefiore Einstein Hospital, Wakefield Campus, expanding access to advanced diagnostic testing for patients with complex esophageal and reflux-related disorders. The Program introduces state-of-the-art esophageal motility and pH testing capabilities designed to accelerate diagnosis, guide treatment decisions and support advanced procedural planning.

Developed through a collaborative effort led by Neil I. Sood, MD, Gastroenterology faculty member, and James C. DiLorenzo, MD, Division Chief of Gastroenterology, in partnership with the Wakefield Endoscopy team, the new Program brings high-resolution esophageal manometry and endoscopic planimetry with endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) technology to patients at the Wakefield Campus. These advanced tools enable more precise evaluation of esophageal function and mechanics, helping patients with dysphagia reach a diagnosis more efficiently while providing critical data to support procedural planning for surgical and advanced endoscopy teams.

The Program also introduces wireless pH testing using Bravo™ capsule deployment, performed during upper endoscopy or following esophageal motility testing. This technology allows our specialists to objectively measure esophageal acid exposure over an extended monitoring period of up to 96 hours and evaluate symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and severe or refractory heartburn. By distinguishing patients who may respond to medical therapy alone from those who may benefit from anti-reflux procedures, the Program strengthens clinical decision-making and supports more personalized treatment planning.

“Advanced esophageal motility and pH testing allow us to more accurately diagnose complex esophageal disorders and tailor treatment to each patient’s specific condition,” said Dr. Sood. “By expanding access to these state-of-the-art technologies at the Wakefield Campus, we can better inform medical, endoscopic and surgical decision-making and improve care for patients with challenging esophageal symptoms.”

Esophageal motility disorders are an important and often underrecognized cause of swallowing difficulties and other upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. These conditions encompass a spectrum of abnormalities affecting esophageal movement and coordination, including achalasia, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, distal esophageal spasm (DES) and disorders of esophageal peristalsis. Patients may present with dysphagia to solids and liquids, heartburn, regurgitation or noncardiac chest pain and standard endoscopic evaluation may appear normal. Advanced functional testing, including high-resolution esophageal manometry, adjunctive tools such as EndoFLIP and wireless pH testing (Bravo™), plays a critical role in accurately diagnosing these disorders and guiding appropriate medical, endoscopic or surgical management.

The launch of the Esophageal Motility Program underscores Montefiore Einstein’s commitment to innovation, expanded access to advanced diagnostics and high-quality, multidisciplinary care, supporting improved outcomes and quality of life for patients with complex esophageal and GI conditions. Montefiore Einstein is ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for gastroenterology and GI surgery, according to U.S. News & World Report, and serves as an international referral site for the most complex cases.