Simultaneous Laryngopharyngeal and Conventional Esophageal pH Monitoring

Summary

Laryngopharyngeal pH monitoring has been specifically designed to measure acid exposure above the upper esophageal sphincter and complements diagnostic evaluation in patients that present with mainly extraesophageal reflux symptoms. Patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) were evaluated using distal esophageal and laryngopharyngeal pH testing simultaneously.

Abstract

In addition to typical reflux symptoms, many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) present with extraesophageal symptoms such as cough, hoarseness or asthma, which can be caused by laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Due to their multifactorial origin, those symptoms can be a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Esophageal pH-monitoring is commonly used to determine abnormal esophageal acid exposure and confirm the diagnosis of GERD. However, for better evaluation of acid exposure above the upper esophageal sphincter, a new laryngopharyngeal pH measurement system is now available and may lead to more reliable results in patients with predominantly extraesophageal symptoms. This article aims to present a standardized protocol for simultaneous pH measurement using esophageal and laryngopharyngeal pH probes in order to obtain acid exposure scores from both measurements.

Introduction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common benign diseases affecting up to 20% of people in western countries¹. In addition to typical symptoms such as heartburn or regurgitation, some patients may suffer from atypical symptoms such as cough, hoarseness, or asthma^2,3. Despite the agreement that chronic cough, chronic laryngitis, and asthma can have a reflux related origin and are significantly associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), the exact pathomechanism still remains unclear. As these symptoms are usually part of a multifactorial process, they depict a ....

Protocol

The following study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne.

NOTE: Ensure that the patient arrives NPO for the following gastrointestinal function testing. Perform a high-resolution manometry to determine the exact location of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and to rule out esophageal dysmotility disorders such as achalasia. The patient should be off antisecretory medication for at least 7 days prior to ensure a valid pH measurement.

1. Setting up the esophageal pH monitoring system

1. Insert batteries into the esophageal monitor....

Results

A total of 181 patients were evaluated using the previously described standardized protocol. Results of the first 101 patients have been previously published¹². The following data depicts an extension of the previously published cohort, however, evaluated using the new software for analyzation of results obtained by laryngopharyngeal pH testing¹⁵. Demographic data is depicted in Table 1. All patients presented with atypical symptoms including chronic cough,.......

Discussion

Esophageal pH monitoring is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of GERD in patients with typical reflux symptoms. However, many patients present, in addition to typical reflux symptoms, with atypical reflux symptoms such as cough or hoarseness most likely related to LPR. Current guidelines suggest an empiric trial with PPIs to proof a reflux related origin of those symptoms and a standardized objective measurement is lacking². Laryngopharyngeal pH testing, due to its location above the upper es.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
AA Battery	-	-	-
Calibration Solutions pH 4 and 7	Medtronic		part of the Digitrapper Reflux Testing system
CR 1632 Lithium coin cell battery	-	-	-
Digitrapper pH & Impedance catheter	Medtronic
Digitrapper Recorder	Medtronic
Gelicain	PUREN		topical gel
Hydration vials with clear water	Respiratory Technology Corporation		part of the Restech Dx pH system
Leukoplast	BSN medical GmbH		surgical tape
Restech Dx pH probe	Respiratory Technology Corporation		part of the Restech Dx pH system
Restech Recorder	Respiratory Technology Corporation		part of the Restech Dx pH system
Restech Transmitter	Respiratory Technology Corporation		part of the Restech Dx pH system
Screwdriver	Respiratory Technology Corporation		part of the Restech Dx pH system
SD Card plus Adapter	Respiratory Technology Corporation		part of the Restech Dx pH system
tongue depressor	NOBAMED		wooden