24-hour Double-probe pH Monitoring Research Articles

The significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux in benign vocal mucosal lesions

Objective To determine the significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in benign vocal mucosal lesions. Study Design and Setting A case-control study at the tertiary referral medical center. Subjects and Methods From April 2003 to December 2006, we studied 110 patients with benign vocal mucosal lesions who had undergone 24-hour ambulatory double pH monitoring. The control group included 200 patients who had undergone ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring due to laryngopharyngeal reflux–related symptoms without specific findings of benign vocal mucosal lesions. Reflux symptom index and reflux finding score were measured. We compared the prevalence of pathologic laryngopharyngeal reflux and various parameters of the pH monitoring such as total reflux number, fraction time of pH below 4 in various positions, and DeMeester scores. Results The prevalence of pathologic laryngopharyngeal reflux was 65 percent in the control group, 66 percent in vocal nodule group, 75 percent in the vocal polyp group, and 90 percent in the Reinke's edema group. Patients with Reinke's edema had a significantly higher prevalence of pathologic laryngopharyngeal reflux than controls ( P = 0.016). LPR was associated with a significantly increased risk of Reinke's edema (odds ratio: 4.846, 95% confidence interval 1.093∼21.492). Total reflux number and DeMeester scores in the Reinke's edema group and fraction time of pH below 4 in the supine position in the vocal polyp group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusion Laryngopharyngeal reflux might play a role as an etiologic factor in Reinke's edema and vocal polyps.

Helicobacter pylori infection and its correlation to extraesophageal and esophageal reflux in contact granuloma patients

To evaluate the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and its correlation to extraesophageal and esophageal reflux, 18 consecutive contact granuloma patients were examined by laryngoscopy, 24-hour double probe pH monitoring and [13C]-urea breath test. Sixteen of the 18 patients (89%) were H. pylori-negative, while 2 patients (11%) showed positive test results. Extraesophageal reflux was detected in 14 patients; one of them was H. pylori-positive. In the ten patients with abnormal distal esophageal reflux, one was H. pylori-positive. The present results do not confirm increased prevalence for H. pylori infection in contact granuloma patients and the occurrence of H. pylori infection was not correlated to the amount of pharyngeal or esophageal acid exposure.

Monitoring of laryngopharyngeal reflux: influence of meals and beverages.

Ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring seems to be the best test to measure reflux. Artifacts caused by intake of acid foods and beverages have to be excluded, necessitating a time-consuming manual review of the 24-hour data. Dietary restrictions used to bypass these artifacts would interfere with the normal daily life situation. Therefore, the influence of food and beverages ingested during the monitoring period was studied. Data from 252 patients who underwent double-probe pH monitoring were analyzed, first by visual inspection of the 24-hour tracing and second by leaving out the intake periods. As to the registration of gastroesophageal reflux, the inclusion or omission of meals and beverages hardly influenced the data. However, the registration of laryngopharyngeal reflux was severely biased by intake of food and beverages and other artifacts. Leaving out meals and beverages did not correct for all artifacts. Therefore, we recommend review of each laryngopharyngeal pH drop.

The role of gastroesophageal reflux in the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been strongly associated with carcinogenesis of the lower esophagus and development of several otolaryngologic disorders. Epidemiologic studies support concept that the malignant transformation of laryngeal mucosal surfaces is due to GER-initiated chronic laryngeal inflammation. However, large clinical studies with matched control groups and further experimental investigations are necessary to ascertain the relationship between reflux and laryngeal carcinoma. This review stresses that early diagnosis of GER disease, based on clinical suspicion, ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring, and endoscopic examination, as well as effective treatment of reflux, are considered the keys for relief of symptomatology and preventing the chronic irritation of the laryngeal mucosa that may contribute to the development of laryngeal carcinoma. (Am J Otolaryngol 2002;23:351-357. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)

Ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring: the importance of manometry.

Historically, manometry has been used for sphincter localization before ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring to ensure accurate placement of the probes. Recently, direct-vision placement (DVP), using transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy (TFL), has been offered as an alternative technique. Presumably, DVP might be used to precisely place the proximal (pharyngeal) pH probe; however, using DVP, there appears to be no way to accurately position the distal (esophageal) probe. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of DVP for pH probe placement using manometric measurement as the gold standard. Thirty patients undergoing pH monitoring participated in this prospective study. Each subject underwent manometric examination of the esophagus to determine the precise location of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters (UES and LES). In addition, external anatomic landmarks were used to estimate interprobe distances. A physician blinded to the manometry results then placed a pH catheter using DVP so that the proximal probe was located just above the UES. The results were recorded and compared with those obtained by manometry. Accurate DVP of the proximal pH probe was achieved in 70% (23 of 30) of the subjects. The use of external anatomic landmarks to estimate interprobe distance resulted in accurate positioning of the distal probe in only 40% (12 of 30) of the subjects. Using fixed interprobe distances of 15 cm and 20 cm, distal probe position accuracy was 3% (1 of 30) and 40% (12 of 30), respectively. Therefore, using DVP, the distal esophageal probe was in an incorrect position in 60% to 97% of subjects. For double-probe pH monitoring, the proximal probe can be accurately positioned by DVP; however, there is no precise way to determine the interprobe distance required to correctly position the distal pH probe. Failure to accurately position the distal probe results in grossly inaccurate esophageal acid-exposure times. Thus, manometry is needed to ensure valid double-probe pH monitoring data.

Effect of cigarette smoking on gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastropharyngeal reflux appears to be associated with various otolaryngological complaints. Cigarette smoking is known to affect adversely the defense mechanisms against reflux of acid gastric contents into the esophagus. To study the relationship between gastropharyngeal, as well as gastroesophageal, reflux and cigarette smoking, 15 subjects underwent 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring while smoking their daily amount of cigarettes. The percentage of time the pH was below 4 during the smoking period was significantly higher than the percentage of time the pH was below 4 during the nonsmoking period, proximal, at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter, as well as distal, above the lower esophageal sphincter. These findings demonstrate that smoking increases gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Smokers with complaints and disorders caused by reflux should therefore be advised to stop smoking in order to reduce reflux.

후두 결절에서 후-인두역류 양상

Background and Objectives: Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) is believed to be an important etiologic factor in the development of many inflammatory and neoplastic disorders of the upper aerodigestive tract. But there have not been well-documented that vocal cord nodules are related with reflux. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between vocal cord nodules and LPR as causative factor. Materials and Methods: Prospectively, Fifteen patients with vocal cord nodules and ten healthy volunteers were studied. Prior to therapy including laryngeal microsurgery, each group underwent esophageal manometry and ambulatory 24hour double probe pH monitoring. Pharyngeal acid reflux event was deemed acceptable if a decrease in pH below 4 was recorded in all two esophageal and pharyngeal probe. Total reflux score, percent acid exposure time and average acid clearance time were measured and compared between two groups. Results: Eleven of the 15 patients (73.3%) had the reflux in pharyngeal probe. Three of the 10 controls s (30%) had the reflux. Total reflux score and percent acid exposure time were significantly higher in patients than in control group but average acid clearance time was not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion: Prevalence of pharyngeal acid reflux events is significantly higher in patients with vocal cord nodules. LPR may be a risk factor for the development of vocal cord nodules. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2000;11:237–240)

Prevalence of reflux in 113 consecutive patients with laryngeal and voice disorders

Objectives: The goal was to estimate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients with laryngeal and voice disorders. Study Design and Setting: This was a prospective study of 113 unselected, new patients with laryngeal and voice disorders. Patients completed an extensive medical history form including a reflux symptom profile. A comprehensive otolaryngologic examination was performed with photographic transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy. Patients with both symptoms and findings of LPR (78/133, 69%) underwent ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring. Results: Seventy-three percent (57/78) of patients undergoing pH testing had abnormal studies. Thus 50% (57/113) of the entire the study population had pH-documented reflux. Of the diagnostic sub-groups studied, the highest incidence of reflux was found in patients with vocal cord neoplastic lesions (88%) and patients with muscle tension dysphonias (70%). LPR was infrequently found in patients with neuromuscular disorders. Conclusion: LPR occurs in at least 50% of all patients at our center with laryngeal and voice disorders at presentation. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:385-8.)

Gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux in globus and hoarseness.

The role of gastropharyngeal reflux in patients with globus pharyngeus and hoarseness remains unclear. To evaluate patients with complaints of globus, hoarseness, or globus and hoarseness combined for the presence of gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Prospective clinical cohort study of 3 groups of patients undergoing ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring. In patients with pathologic gastroesophageal reflux, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was also performed. Tertiary care, outpatient clinic. Twenty-seven patients with globus alone, 20 patients with hoarseness alone, and 25 patients with globus and hoarseness combined. Patients with well-defined pathologic reflux (ie, gastroesophageal reflux with or without gastropharyngeal reflux) were present mainly in the group of patients with globus combined with hoarseness: 18 (72%) of 25 patients, compared with 7 (35%) of 20 patients with hoarseness alone and 8 (30%) of 27 with globus alone. Seven (10%) of all 72 patients had prolonged acid exposure at the laryngopharyngeal junction in the presence of a normal gastroesophageal pH registration. Abnormal findings in the esophagus were found at endoscopy in 17 (65%) of 26 patients with pathologic gastroesophageal reflux (with or without gastropharyngeal reflux). We found a high prevalence of pathologic reflux in patients with both globus and hoarseness. Based on these findings, we strongly advise upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for symptomatic otolaryngological patients with pathologic gastroesophageal reflux.

High Incidence of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Laryngopharyngeal reflux may play a role in the etiology of squamous cell cancer of the head and neck and contribute to complications in head and neck cancer patients after surgery or during radiotherapy. Prospective study. To investigate the incidence of laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with head and neck cancer, ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring was performed in 24 untreated patients with laryngeal or pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, 10 patients who had been irradiated in the head and neck area were analyzed for reflux to study the effect of radiotherapy on reflux. Only 4 of the 24 head and neck cancer patients (17%) had neither pathological laryngopharyngeal nor gastroesophageal reflux. Esophageal acid exposure was abnormal in five patients and acid exposure at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter was abnormal in four patients. Eleven patients had pathological reflux in both areas. Irradiated patients did not differ from the untreated patients considering the incidence of pathological laryngopharyngeal or gastroesophageal reflux. The data obtained in this study indicate that reflux is a common event in head and neck cancer patients.

Reflux in infants with laryngomalacia: Results of 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring

Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in children. Previous studies using barium esophagrams or single-probe esophageal pH testing have indicated that 68% to 80% of infants with laryngomalacia have reflux. A recent study in a large series of pediatric patients has shown that these 2 testing modalities are relatively insensitive in detecting reflux when compared with 24-hour double-probe pH testing. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and frequency of reflux in children with laryngomalacia by use of 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring. Twenty-four children with endoscopically diagnosed laryngomalacia underwent 24-hour double-probe pH testing. The distal probe was placed in the lower esophagus, and the proximal probe was placed just above the cricopharyngeus immediately posterior to the larynx. All 24 (100%) children had pharyngeal acid exposure as judged by the proximal pH probe. These children had a mean of 15.21 episodes of reflux to the level of the pharynx during the 24-hour study period. In contrast, only 16 (66%) children had abnormal acid exposure as measured by the distal esophageal probe. These results indicate that essentially all children with laryngomalacia have reflux of gastric acid to the pharyngeal level. Multiple authors have documented the detrimental effects of acid and the accompanying pepsin in the larynx and tracheobronchial tree. Persistent laryngeal edema is an almost universal finding in patients with reflux to the pharyngeal level and is a common finding in children with laryngomalacia. In some patients with laryngomalacia, reflux may be the primary cause of their airway compromise, whereas in others it may be a significant cofactor exacerbating a preexisting neurologic or anatomic abnormality. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:860-4.)

High incidence of gastropharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux after total laryngectomy.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) appears to be related to laryngeal carcinoma. Little is known about GER and gastropharyngeal reflux (GPR) in the laryngectomized patient. Therefore, GER and GPR were studied in laryngectomized patients. In 11 patients, 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring was performed in an ambulant setting. An optic fiberscope was used for the accurate positioning of the proximal probe in the upper esophageal sphincter. In 9 of 11 patients pathologic GPR was found. Four of these 9 patients had reflux in upright and supine position, 5 patients had reflux only in upright position. A high incidence of GPR in laryngectomized patients was found. These results raise the question whether all laryngectomized patients should be investigated for reflux and in the presence of pathologic reflux findings should be treated with reflux prophylaxis.

Reflux in infants with laryngomalacia: Results of 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring

Reflux in infants with laryngomalacia: Results of 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring