[Gastroesophageal reflux: a possible cause of paroxysmal laryngeal dyspnea].
An important number of patients are referred to the ENT specialist because of extraoesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux. The most alarming symptom is a paroxysmal dyspnea secondary to a laryngospasm. The patients report a laryngeal choking sensation associated to an aphonia. We report three cases of laryngospasm secondary to acid gastric reflux. The diagnosis was made with the clinical history, a laryngeal examination and a 24-hour pH-monitoring enabled us to demonstrate a clear temporal relation between the reflux episodes and the choking episodes. In conclusion, the pharyngo-laryngeal reflux is a possible cause of laryngospasm. In our three patients, a high dose antiacid treatment was efficient to bring a lasting relief of the symptoms.
Leuchter
I
I
Unité de phoniatrie et de logopédie, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. Igor.leuchter@chuv.ch
Monnier
P
P
Brossard
E
E
Schweizer
V
V
D000328:Adult; D004418:Dyspnea, Paroxysmal / Q000209:etiology*; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged