Abstract
Laryngo pharyngeal disease associated with gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is usually referred to as laryngo pharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). In order to investigate this association, we performed a 24-hour pH monitoring in cases of LPRD to directly demonstrate the degree of acid reflux up to the level of the cervical esophagus. Furthermore, we performed a hypopharyngeal mucosal biopsy for histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis.
Among our patients who were suspected to have LPRD, 15 underwent 24-hour pH monitoring and hypopharyngeal mucosal biopsy. They were 10 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 57.4 years. The 24-hour pH monitoring was performed on an ambulatory basis. The hypopharyngeal mucosal biopsy was performed during the insertion of the pH monitor.
The results of the pH monitoring were analyzed by the Amsterdam method. Thirteen of the 15 patients had reflux up to the level of the cervical esophagus. Histopathologically, 14 patients exhibited inflammatory changes in the hypopharyngeal mucosa. A positive correlation was observed between the reflux duration and the severity of the inflammatory changes.
Thus, our observations indicate that LPRD patients with reflux as demonstrated by pH monitoring frequently exhibit histopathological inflammatory changes in the hypopharyngeal mucosa.
