ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux by scintigraphy in patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 32 patients (14 males, 18 females; mean age 38 years; range 17 to 55 years) who presented with laryngopharyngeal complaints. All patients underwent routine ENT and head-neck examinations and rigid endoscopy of the larynx to determine laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux was sought by technetium 99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy. RESULTS: The most common symptom was dysphagia (56%) followed by hoarseness (46%). Posterior laryngitis was the most common laryngeal finding (18 patients, 56%). Scintigraphy revealed gastroesophageal reflux in 21 patients (66%), 14 of whom (67%) had posterior laryngitis. CONCLUSION: Patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings should be investigated with regard to gastroesophageal reflux. Scintigraphy may be a method of choice in this respect.
