Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Current Concepts on Etiology and Pathophysiology and Its Role in Dysphagia

Abstract

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is one of the most commonly encountered chronic inflammatory conditions of the larynx. The lack of a unifying consensus regarding diagnosis and management makes it difficult to relate laryngeal disorders and dysphagia to this disease entity, particularly for an otolaryngologist. This article reviews diagnosis and management of LPR from an otolaryngological and gastroenterological perspective by reconciling current trends in the literature. More sophisticated testing via multichannel pH probes as well as the implementation of pepsin assays has potential in diagnosing LPR. This will hopefully more clearly delineate this disease entity, in the setting of dysphagia. Dysphagia and LPR both have significant overlap with numerous disease entities. Though there is little literature to address outcomes in treatment and management of dysphagia in the setting of LPR, few studies show that managing LPR-related dysphagia may improve with surgical intervention if there is no improvement with conservative management.