Evaluation of laryngopharyngeal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease

ABSTRACT

Thirty-one patients with recurrent severe reflux symptoms were studied for esophageal motility, endoscopy, radiology as well as 24-hour pH esophageal monitoring. All patients were subjected to full history taking and fiberoptic laryngopharyngoscopy. 23 patients had persistent laryngopharyngeal symptoms mainly dysphonia. Erythema was a constant sign in all complaining patients and there were 8 cases with contact granuloma and 6 cases had cordal nodules. The occurrence of laryngopharyngeal manifestations [LPHM] in GERD patients was not related neither to the severity of endoscopic esophagitis nor to the lower esophageal sphincter pressure [LESP] and esophageal body peristaltic abnormalities. On the other hand, the LPHM were more related to hiatal hernia [88.9%] and abnormally relaxed upper esophageal sphincter. The 24-hour pH esophageal monitoring was a valuable tool in detecting pathologic acid reflux in 76.9% of the patients and its results were proportionate to the severity of LPHM