Síntomas laríngeos y laringitis posterior: ¿siempre es secundario a reflujo gastroesofágico? / Association of gastroesophageal reflux with posterior laryngitis. study of 43 patients

El reflujo gastroesofágico (RGE) ha sido asociado como causa de laringitis posterior, sin embargo, la evidencia sobre esto es controversial. El objetivo principal es establecer si los pacientes con síntomas y diagnóstico de laringitis posterior, se correlacionan con la existencia de RGE ácido patológico. Objetivo secundario es el estudio del valor predictivo de cada síntoma laríngeo para reflujo ácido patológico...

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is syndicated as a cause of posterior laryngitis. However the evidence for the association is weak. Aim: To determine if the presence of posterior laryngitis is associated with GER.

Síntomas, hallazgos radiológicos, endoscópicos y estudios funcionales del esófago en pacientes con hernia hiatal mayor a 5 cm / Clinical and functional features of patients with a hiatal hernia diagnosed during endoscopy

Background: the finding of a hiatal hernia is usual during upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. However the correlation of symptoms, manometric and radiological findings with the endoscopy report is far from clear. Aim: to assess radiological findings, 24 pH measurements, esophageal manometry and symptoms among patients in whom a hiatal hernia was found during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Material and Methods: one hundred fifteen patients aged 23 to 82 years (77 women), with an endoscopic diagnosis of a hiatal hernia of more than 5 cm were studied. An esophageal manometry and 24 hour pH determination were carried out. Results: hiatal hernias type I, II, II and IV were found in 50, 12, 38 and 15 patients of similar age, respectively. Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were more common among patients with hernias type I and III. Mechanical symptoms such as retrosternal pain were more common in type IV hernias. Manometry showed a hypotensive sphincter in 100 and 78 percent of patients with hernias type I and III, respectively. An abnormal 24 hour pH measurement was found in 95 and 85 percent of patients with hernias type I and III, respectively. Conclusions: functional studies show a high frequency of pathological acid reflux among patients with hiatal hernias type I and III.

El hallazgo de una hernia hiatal durante un estudio endoscópico se informa frecuentemente. Sin embargo, no hay referencias específicas acerca de los síntomas y los trastornos funcionales del esófago según el tipo de hernia hiatal. Objetivo: determinar los síntomas predominantes, los hallazgos radiológicos y endoscópicos y de los estudios funcionales en pacientes con los diferentes tipos de hernia hiatal. Método: se evaluaron 115 pacientes, todos con diagnóstico radiológico de hernia hiatal mayor a 5 cm, realizando estudios endoscópicos, histológicos y manometría esofágica, junto a pHmetría de 24 h. Resultados: la edad fue similar en los 4 tipos de hernia hiatal. Síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico se presentaron con gran frecuencia en hernias tipo I y III, mientras que síntomas mecánicos se manifestaron en hernias tipo IV. El estudio manométrico mostró un esfínter hipotensivo junto con reflujo ácido patológico en casi 90 por ciento de las hernias tipo I y IIII. Conclusión: el estudio más útil para el diagnóstico de hernia hiatal es el radiológico. La endoscopia es necesaria para comprobar el daño de la mucosa esofágica. Los estudios funcionales muestran una alta prevalencia de reflujo ácido patológico en hernias hiatales tipo I y II.

Prevalencia de los diferentes trastornos motores primarios del esófago: Estudio prospectivo de 5.440 casos / Primary esophageal motor disturbances among patients with esophageal symptoms

Background: The esophagus can suffer several motor disturbances of striated or smooth muscle. Aim: To determine the presence of primary motor disturbances of the esophagus among a group of patients with esophageal symptoms. Material and methods: Prospective study of 5,440 patients consulting for heartburn, chest pain or dysphagia, with primary esophageal motor disturbances, studied between 1994 and 2004. AH were subjected to an esophageal manometry with eight perfused catheters connected to pressure transducers. Results: Nineteen percent of subjects had a normal esophageal manometry, 60 percent had unspecific motor disturbances usually associated to gastroesophageal reflux, 13 percent had a nutcracker esophagus, 5 percent had diffuse esophageal spasm, 2 percent had achalasia and 0,3 percent had an hypertensive sphincter. Conclusions: Primaryesophageal motor disturbances are common among patients with esophageal symptoms. A manometry should be performed to these patients.

Comparación entre el aspecto endoscópico del cardias, hallazgos manométricos y pHmetría de 24 horas en pacientes con síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico crónico / Comparison of the endoscopic aspect of the cardia, manometry and 24 hours pH measurement in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux

Background: The endoscopic view of the gastric cardia could be related with the manometric competence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and with pathological gastroesophageal reflux. Aim: To compare the endoscopic aspect of the cardia with the results from esophageal manometry and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. Materials and Methods: The cardia of a group of 150 patients (aged 19 to 72 years, 89 women) with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was classified as normal or open, during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All subjects were subjected to a manometric study to measure LES pressure and determine LES incompetence and to a 24 h esophageal pH measurement. Results: LES pressure was 14.7±6.2 and 8.7±4.2 mmHg in patients with normal and open cardia, respectvively (p <0.001). Likewise, 43 and 79% of patients with normal and open cardia had an incompetent LES, respectively (p <0.001). Pathological acid reflux was present in 43 and 71% of patients with normal or open cardia, respectively (p <0.001). Conclusions: The endoscopic appearance of the cardia can identify patients with pathological gastroesophageal reflux.

Alteraciones motoras gastrointestinales en la enfermedad de Chagas / Gastrointestinal motility disturbances in Chagas disease

Serum antibodies against Trypanosoma Cruzi have been observed in 19 percent of the Chilean population. Marked differences in organ involvement have been reported in patients with Chagas disease. Chagas disease is rarely an aetiological factor for achalasia in Chile, which is different from reports in other countries of South America. In contrast, a high incidence of megacolon among these patients have been reported. Aim: To study the incidence of gastric and small intestinal motor disorders among these patients and their relationship to esophageal and colon motility disorders. Patients and Methods: We studied 18 patients, 12 women (mean age 45 years); with positive antibodies against T Cruzi. Seven had radiological evidence of megacolon and no one had radiological or manometric evidence for achalasia. Non specific motor esophageal abnormalities were found in 11 patients. Nine had an abnormal electrocardiogram, suggesting a myocardial disease. A questionnaire for gastrointestinal symptoms, an electrogastrography and a small intestinal motility study, were performed in each patient. Results: All patients had evidences of abnormalities in at least one segment of the digestive tract. Twelve patients had an abnormal electrogastrographic study, with bradygastria as the most common finding. Nine had an abnormal small intestinal manometry with a myophatic pattern evidenced by a decreased amplitude of contractions (18.5±3 mmHg). Also an increased number of clustered contractions was observed. Conclusions: Gastric dysrhythmias and small intestinal motor abnormalities are frequently associated to non specific esophageal motor disorders and megacolon in patients with Chagas disease (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 939-4).

Correlación entre síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico y resultados de la pHmetría de 24 horas en pacientes con estudio endoscópico normal o levemente alterado / Relationship between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and 24 h esophageal pH measurement in patients with normal or minimally abnormal upper endoscopies

Background:Heartburn and regurgitation are considered highly specific symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. A considerable number of patients with these symptoms do not have endoscopic signs of esophagitis. Aim: To study the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and 24 h esophageal pH mesurement in patients with normal or near normal endoscopic findings. Patients and methods: One hundred eighty six patients with persistent reflux symptoms and absence of severe endoscopic esophagitis were studied. Pathological studies of esophageal biopsies, manometry and 24 h esophageal pH measurements were performed in all. Results: Abnormal acid reflux was found in 131 patients (70 percent). No differences in the frequency of symptoms, gender or pathologic findings were observed between patients with or without abnormal acid reflux. However, a higher frequency of esophageal erosions and a lower resting pressure of the inferior sphincter of the esophagus was observed in patients with abnormal acid reflux. Conclusions: Thirty percent of patients with heartburn and regurgitation did not have abnormal acid reflux. Therefore, these symptoms are not specific for gastroesophageal reflux (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 19-25).

Enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico como causa de daño laríngeo / Gastroesophageal reflux disease as cause of laryngeal damage

Se ha reportado que la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE) puede ser causa de daño laríngeo entre 18 por ciento-50 por ciento, existiendo aún controversias en relación con su rol patogénico. Objetivo: Evaluar en forma objetiva la presencia de reflujo gastroesofágico patológico en pacientes con síntomas faringo-laríngeos y daño laríngeo demostrado en los cuales se sospechaba existencia de una ERGE. Pacientes y método: Estudio descriptivo de 50 pacientes consecutivos con síntomas y daño laríngeo confirmado, evaluados con un examen videolaringoscópico, endoscopía digestiva alta, manometría esofágica y monitoreo del pH esofágico de 24 horas. En 12 pacientes se estudió, además, reflujo biliar con Bilitec (MR) 2000. Resultados: Se encontró síntomas típicos de ERGE en 32 por ciento, esofagitis endoscópica en 38 por ciento, reflujo gastroesofágico anormal (pHmetría) en 36 por ciento y esfínter gastroesofágico incompetente en 50 por ciento. El RGE fue preponderantemente supino y postprandial. El estudio de reflujo biliar fue negativo. Trastorno motor inespecífico se encontró en 22 por ciento y esófago cascanueces en 50 por ciento. Discusión: La ERGE no siempre es la causa de síntomas laríngeos y no existe correlación clara entre síntomas, daño laríngeo, motilidad esofágica, demostración de reflujo y esofagitis endoscópica. Debe efectuarse una evaluación objetiva del rol de la ERGE como causa de síntomas y de daño faringo-laríngeo para no "sobrediagnosticar" la enfermedad.

Resultados preliminares de la esofagomiotomía por video laparoscopia en pacientes con acalasia esofágica / Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy for achalasia: preliminary results in 19 patients

Background: Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is becoming a good alternative to pneumatic dilatation, injection of botulinic toxin or classical surgery in the treatment of achalasia. Aim: To report the results of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy in patients with achalasia. Patients and methods: Nineteen patients with achalasia, nine women, aged 9 to 66 years old, operated between 1996 and 2001 are reported. Results: There was no surgical mortality. One patient had a subphrenic abscess due to an unnoticed tear of the esophageal mucosa. During surgery, esophageal mucosa was perforated in 4 patients, that was sutured in three. One patient with an extensive tear of the mucosa required conversion to classical surgery. Patients were followed for 2 to 48 months. Radiological controls showed a significant increase in the diameter of gastroesophageal junction and a diameter reduction of the mid third esophageal segment. Lower esophageal pressure was significantly reduced. All patients experienced a weight increase and reduction of dysphagia. Conclusions: Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is a safe an effective therapeutic alternative for achalasia

Reflujo gastroesofágico patológico en pacientes con obesidad severa, mórbida e hiper obesidad / Pathological gastroesophageal reflux in patients with severe, morbid and hyper obesity

Background: Overweight can be a risk factor for pathological gastroesophageal reflux or hiatal hernia. Aim: To study the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with severe obesity. Patients and methods: Sixty seven patients, 51 female, aged 17 to 56 years old with a body mass index over 35 kg/m2, were studied. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in all, esophageal manometry was done in 32 and 24 h pH monitoring was done in 32 patients. Results: Seventy nine percent of patients complained of heartburn and 66 of regurgitation. In 16 patients, endoscopy was normal. An erosive esophagitis was found in 33 patients, a short columnar epithelium in 12 and a Barret esophagus with intestinal metaplasia in six. Normal endoscopic findings and erosive esophagitis were present with a higher frequency in women. No association between the degree of obesity and esophageal lesions was observed. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure and abdominal length were significantly higher in subjects with a body mass index over 50 compared to those with a body mass index between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2. No differences were observed in 24 h pH monitoring. Conclusions: A high proportion of severely obese patients had symptoms and endoscopical findings of pathological gastroesophageal reflux

Evaluación subjetiva y objetiva de los resultados de la cirugía antirreflujo por video laparoscopía en pacientes con reflujo gastroesofágico / Subjective and objective assessment of the results of video laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in patients with gastroesophageal reflux

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that should have similar results than classical surgical treatment. To report the results of a prospective study of laparoscopic antirelux surgery, 32 patients with gastroesophageal reflux and without Barret's esophagus, were subjected to endoscopy, amnometry and measurement of intraesophageal pH before and after laparoscopic surgery. Tehre were no postoperative deaths or complications. Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure and abdominal sphincter lenght increased from 9.1ñ3.9 to 13.0ñ3.5 mm Hg and from 8.1ñ6.2 to 13.5ñ5.4 cm after surgery (p<0.01). There was a decrease in acid reflux in 82 percent of patients. In conclusion, laparoscopic antireflux surgery reproduces exactly the results of open surgical procedures