[Pharyngeal acid load and different functional endoscopy findings]. / Pharyngeale Säurebelastung bei unterschiedlichen Befunden der funktionellen Endoskopie.

The findings of functional endoscopy (upper esophageal sphincter insufficiency, cardia insufficiency, esophagitis, gastric heterotopia, axial sliding hernia, and visible aerosols) can be traced back to pharyngeal acid exposure by oropharyngeal pH measurement. Significantly increased pharyngeal acid loads are seen in gastric heterotopy and axial sliding hernia. For all measured statistics, the pharyngeal acid load is in the pathological or even very pathological range. The value of functional endoscopy in the context of laryngopharyngeal reflux diagnosis is clearly documented. The findings "heterotopic gastric mucosa" and "axial sliding hernia" may cause marked airway symptoms and a pathogenetic relationship with otorhinolaryngologic reflux-associated symptoms must be postulated for these entities.

[Importance of functional endoscopy for diagnostics of extraesophageal reflux : relationship of Belafsky's reflux symptom index and functional endoscopic data]. / Stellenwert der Funktionsendoskopie für die Diagnostik des extraösophagealen Refluxes : Beziehung des Reflux-Symptom-Index zu funktionsendoskopischen Daten.

BACKGROUND: Extraesophageal reflux exists as shown by scientific data. The underlying pathophysiology is not yet exactly known. Functional endoscopy seems to be a promising new diagnostic instrument. This study determined the relationship between functional endoscopy and Belafsky's reflux symptom index (RSI). METHODS: In this study 71 patients were prospectively included and underwent a functional endoscopic examination followed by 6 months of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Symptoms were scored using Belafsky's RSI after endoscopic examination (before treatment) and after 3 and 6 months of PPI therapy. RESULTS: After 3 and 6 months of PPI-therapy significant decreases in the RSI were found. The functional endoscopy characteristics which were expected to remain constant were controlled after 6 months and found to be nearly 100 % reproducible. Patients profit from PPI- therapy when reflux is detected by endoscopy even when RSI was initally normal. Functional endoscopy seems to be a useful instrument to detect extraesophageal reflux.