Medtronic EndoFLIP™ - diagnosing why it's difficult to swallow

MercyOne Children’s Hospital now offers the Medtronic EndoFLIP™ impedance planimetry system. This test helps diagnosis dysphagia, or persistent difficulty swallowing.

If your child has trouble swallowing, we can help!

For children with problems in their esophagus or moving food through their gastrointestinal tract, receiving an accurate diagnosis can be a challenge. MercyOne is proud to introduce EndoFlip (endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe), a state-of-the-art minimally invasive diagnostic tool. This technology allows our expert care team to look at the stomach, esophagus, and other parts of the digestive tract without requiring X-rays or radiation. EndoFlip makes it much easier to diagnose and accurately characterize conditions such as esophageal stricture and achalasia.

MercyOne Children’s Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the state of Iowa that uses EndoFLIP technology.

Why use EndoFLIP?

The EndoFLIP is a newer, minimally invasive diagnostic tool. Compared to traditional diagnostic tests, like an upper endoscopy (EGD), EndoFLIP allows for simultaneous testing of the pressure and dimensions of the esophagus using a medical balloon mounted on a thin catheter. The technology uses an imaging technique called impedance planimetry to estimate the cross-section of the esophagus.

How it works

When patients have trouble swallowing, there are complications with food and liquids moving from your mouth to your stomach. Symptoms often mimic GERD, including frequent heartburn, sore throat and regurgitation. For those who suffer dysphagia, often an upper endoscopy alone is not enough for a diagnosis. EndoFLIP measures the pressure and dimensions in the esophagus — giving the physician additional data to better diagnose esophageal disorders. Plus, EndoFLIP’s impedance planimetry system can be done together with an upper endoscopy, so it doesn’t require an additional appointment or sedation.

Need to book an appointment to see a pediatric gastroenterologist? Call 515-643-5454 and talk to your MercyOne primary care provider about a referral.