23 hour pH impedence probe test (1012)

Key points below


What is a 23 hour pH/impedance catheter test?

This test looks at how fluids and food move in your child’s esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that moves food from your mouth to your stomach. The test also shows if air or acid reflux is in the esophagus. Reflux is caused by stomach contents coming up into the esophagus. 

Why is this test done?Stomach Diagram

This test is done to help your doctor understand what happens in the esophagus.  It is usually done if they think your child has Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is caused by reflux. It may cause symptoms like coughing, vomiting, hoarseness and pain. The results of the pH/impedance catheter test will help your child’s doctor decide what treatment, is needed.  Sometimes no treatment is needed.

How is it done? 

The catheter is a small flexible tube with sensors. The tube goes in one nostril and is gently moved down into the esophagus. An x-ray is done to check that the tip of the tube is in the right place. Catheter

The catheter is attached to a small recorder (monitor) that your child carries with them.  The test will record information for 23 hours. The catheter needs to stay in place for 23 hours. If the catheter comes out too soon the test needs to be repeated.  

Will this test hurt?

Having a tube passed through the nose does not feel good.  Your child may be awake while the tube is put in. Putting a catheter in may cause your child to gag, sneeze or get tears in their eyes. The tube will be taped in place. Most children get used to the tube quickly.  Your child may be able to go home overnight while the test is being done.  

What needs to be done before the test?

What should my child be doing during the test?

What do I need to do with the recorder (monitor) during the test?Machine

How will the catheter be removed?

The catheter is removed when the test is done.  If you are at home, you will need to come back to the hospital to have the tube removed.  You will come to the GI clinic on the 4th floor of the Craig Yabuki Tower. Usually it only takes a few seconds to take it out. This does not hurt. If the catheter comes out at home the test may need to be repeated. 

What do I need to do with the recorder (monitor) after the 23 hour test?

Come to your GI clinic appointment to have the catheter removed and return the diary and recorder. Be sure to return the completed diary when the catheter is removed and the recorder is returned to the clinic. 

How do I find out the results?

It takes 14 days for the doctors to review the test recordings.  We will send a letter to your primary doctor and the doctor who requested the test. The doctor who ordered the test will call you with results. If you have any questions about the results, please call your doctor.

pH Impedance Diary Recording Process
MMS Ohmega pH Impedance Recorder

Each button puts a marker on the recording to show the activity.  It is important when a button is pressed your write the details about that activity in the diary. The time you press the button on the recorder should be the same time you write in the diary.  

Button Instructions
Lying down or sleeping
Lying down or sleeping
Press this button when your child lays flat or they go to sleep.  Press this button again when they wake up or sit up. Write both the times and activity for the start and the end of laying down or sleeping. 
Eating or drinking Eating or drinking
Press this button when your child starts to eat or drink. Press again when they are done eating or drinking. Write both the start and stop times and what they ate or drank in the diary. Use the notes section to write what was eaten or drank. An examples is to write “toast, jelly, glass of milk”.  During the test your child should eat and drink like normal. Write everything in the log and push the buttons.  
Medicines Medicines
Press this button when your child takes an oral or inhaled medicine.  Write the medicine name and what time they took it in the diary. 
Symptoms
Symptoms
Press this button any time the main symptom(s) for being tested happens.  Examples are: chest pain, throw up, reflux, tummy pain, cough, hiccup etc.
  Write what time the symptom happened and describe it in the diary. Write how long it lasted.

Your appointment to remove the catheter and turn in the pH Impedance Diary at the GI clinic (4th floor of the Craig Yabuki Tower) is: 
  
 ____________/___________/___________ at _____:_____


 

Study Start Time______:______      Study End Time______:______

Patient Label

 

 

PH IMPEDANCE DIARY LOG

Lying flat or sleeping (Press 2 x)

Begin time (Press when lying flat) End time (Press when sitting up) Comments
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

Meals/Snacks/Drinks (Press 2 x)

Begin time End time Describe what eating and drinking (like 1 cup Mac and Cheese, 4oz. Pediasure/Formula, Sips of water, etc.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Medicines (Press 1 x)

Time taken List medicines
   
   
   
   
   

Symptom Episodes (Press 1 x)

Time started How long symptoms lasted and symptom description
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

PH IMPEDANCE DIARY LOG

Patient Label:

 

 

 

Lying flat or sleeping (Press 2 x)

Begin time (Press when lying flat) End time (Press when sitting up) Comments
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

Meals/Snacks/Drinks (Press 2 x)

Begin time End time Describe what eating and drinking (like 1 cup Mac and Cheese, 4oz. Pediasure/Formula, Sips of water, etc.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Medicines (Press 1 x)

Time taken List medicines
   
   
   
   
   

Symptom Episodes (Press 1 x)

Time started How long symptoms lasted and symptom description