Heartburn Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Heartburn, including details on symptoms, causes, prevention, treatment, diet, reflux, drugs.

Dual-probe 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring for diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Issing WJ, Karkos PD, Perreas K, Folwaczny C, Reichel O

Department of Otolaryngology, The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK. wolfgang.issing@nuth.northy.nhs.uk

BACKGROUND: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease may suffer from a variety of symptoms from the upper aerodigestive tract. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of dual-probe 24-hr pH monitoring in the diagnosis of reflux-related otolaryngological disorders. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with symptoms such as chronic cough, globus pharyngeus, heartburn, dysphonia and burning sensation of the tongue underwent a complete ear, nose and throat examination, 24-hr dual-probe pH monitoring, and oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy. RESULTS: pH monitoring revealed gastroesophageal (distal) reflux in all patients and pharyngeal (proximal) reflux in 21 patients. Treatment consisted of a proton pump inhibitor (esomeprazole). Within 4 weeks 68 per cent of patients had no laryngopharyngeal symptoms; within 8 weeks 95 per cent of patients were symptom-free. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with atypical reflux symptoms such as hoarseness, globus sensation or throat-clearing responded well to anti-reflux treatment.

Published 10 January 2005 in J Laryngol Otol, 118(11): 845-8.
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