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Introduction: High resolution manometry (HRM) is a recent and valuable tool in the assessment of esophageal motility. The experience with this technology in the evaluation of pharyngeal and upper esophageal disorders is still incipient. This study aims to: (a) define normal values for pharyngo-upper esophageal motility, and (b) correlate HRM plots with pharyngeal anatomic landmarks.
Methods: 29 healthy individuals (mean age 30 years, 62% males) underwent HRM with a solid-state catheter with 36 circumferential sensors spaced 1 cm apart positioned to record from the base of the tongue to the esophagus. Pharyngeal, upper esophageal sphincter and proximal esophagus parameters were recorded by giving 10 swallows of 5 mL of water at 30-second intervals. The analysis was performed with the commercial dedicated software. Fourteen individuals also underwent a concomitant transnasal pharyngoscopy.
Results: Manometric parameters are depicted in table 1. The correlation between HRM plots and pharyngeal anatomic landmarks is shown in figure 1.
Conclusion: Normal values for pharyngeal, upper esophageal sphincter and proximal esophagus parameters have been determined. These results may be applied in future studies.

Manometric values

Pharynx		Upper esophageal sphincter		Proximal esophagus
Peak pressure at 2 cm above mid UES	203,8 (160-225,6)	Basal pressure	88,5 (65,72-119,55)	Amplitude 2 cm below mid UES	64,3 (51,7-100,4)
Contraction duration at 2 cm above mid UES	471 (349-697)	Residual pressure	4,1 (0,85-7,77)	Amplitude 4 cm below mid UES	65,7 (45,7-76,5)
Start at 2 cm above mid UES to UES start	-494 (-541- -419)	Relaxation time to nadir	198 (169,7-264)	Amplitude 6 cm below mid UES	35,05 (18,8-47,3)
Start at 2 cm above mid UES to UES nadir	-235 (-355 - -181)	Ralaxation duration	698,5 (629,7-773,2)
Start at 2 cm above mid UES to UES end	212 (183-269)	Recovery duration	475 (380,2-561,5)

Data presented as median (interquartile range)