Is ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring useful in suspected ENT manifestations of GERD?
OBJECTIVE
The present study is aimed at assessing the relationship between ear, nose and throat manifestations and proximal reflux in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by using 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring.


METHODS
Fifty-eight patients were included: (;) 28 patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastrooesophageal reflux disease: (ii) 18 patients with typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without extraoesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; (iii) 12 healthy volunteers. Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring was performed in all patients. Oesophagogastroscopy was performed in all patients of groups I and II. Ear, nose and throat examination was performed in all patients with ear, nose and throat complaints.


RESULTS
At the upper oesophageal sphincter, results of pH monitoring were significantly different between groups I and III (0.009 < P < 0.02) and between groups I and II (0.008 < P < 0.03). When comparing data at the lower oesophageal sphincter, we found a significant difference between groups II and III (0.002 < P < 0.009) and between groups I and III (0.001 < P < 0.002). Endoscopic examination of the oesophagus did not show any significant difference between groups I and II. Laryngoscopy was abnormal in 86% of the patients with ear, nose and throat symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring is useful in the assessment of patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, especially in the case of abnormal laryngoscopy.
Sermon
F
F
Department of Gastroenterology, AZ-VUB Academic Hospital, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. filip.sermon@az.vub.ac.be
Vanden Brande
S
S
Roosens
B
B
Mana
F
F
Deron
P
P
Urbain
D
D
D000328:Adult; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*