Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center

Hartford HealthCare’s Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center is a comprehensive program dedicated to the holistic care of patients with complex gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center

Led by nationally renowned experts, Dr. Mayra Sanchez and Dr. Amir Masoud, the Center is staffed by a team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and allied health professionals who have specialized training in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with motility disorders. As a regional referral center, our specialists will work collaboratively with your doctors to provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized care plan to achieve optimal results.

Our Team

Medical Co-Directors:

Our Team Includes:

  • Gastroenterologists
  • Advanced Endoscopists
  • Surgeons
  • Advanced Practice Providers
  • Nurses
  • Dieticians
  • Behavioral Health Specialists
  • Speech and Language Pathologists
  • Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Therapists

What We Treat

Gastrointestinal motility disorders can be defined as disorders of the GI tract in which the nerves and muscles do not function properly. They can affect any part of the system including the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel, and anal sphincter. Some of the most common disorders include:

  • Swallowing disorders
  • Esophageal motility disorders
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis
  • Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
  • Systemic sclerosis (affecting the GI tract)
  • Achalasia
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Pulmonary complications of GERD
  • Chronic nausea and vomiting
  • Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome
  • Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
  • Gastroparesis
  • Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
  • Constipation
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a disorder characterized by severe and recurrent episodes of vomiting (emesis). This rare disorder is only seen in chronic, long term, and daily marijuana users. The first cases described in the literature date back just over a decade and therefore CHS is a relatively new disorder that can often go undiagnosed—or misdiagnosed—for many years.

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Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder marked by recurrent and unexplained episodes of severe nausea and vomiting. These can last for several hours to even days and are followed by symptom free periods. Each episode or “attack” can be similar—starting at the same time of day and even lasting for the same amount of time--and the hallmark of the disorder is the presence of the “free days” without symptoms.

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What We Do

Hartford HealthCare Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center offers the most state of the art diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions enabling us to identify and treat even the most difficult cases. The testing process is customized to each patient to obtain the most accurate diagnosis and develop the best treatment plan.

GI Motility Testing

  • High Resolution Esophageal Manometry
  • Wireless pH monitoring (BRAVO Testing)
  • Esophageal pH/impedance testing
  • Impedance planimetry (endoFLIP)
  • High Resolution Antroduodenal Manometry
  • Breath testing
  • Wireless motility capsule (SmartPill)
  • Colonic motility testing
  • High Resolution Anorectal Manometry

Therapeutic Motility Procedures

  • Endoscopic stricture dilation
  • Pneumatic dilation for achalasia
  • Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
  • Gastric-POEM
  • Gastric Electrical Stimulation (Enterra)
  • Biofeedback therapy
  • Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Contact the Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center