Keywords: reflux laryngitis, laryngo-pharyngeal reflux, GERD esophageal pH-monitoring

Abstract: Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease may manifest in two distinct clinical forms: classical gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Diagnosis of the latter form is made by a suspicious history associated to typical laryngeal findings, which may be confirmed by a 24-hour double probe esophageal pH-metry. Aim: This study was designed to compare the results of the above mentioned diagnostic test on patients with clinical and laryngoscopic suspicion of LPR. Material and methods: Twenty adult patients with clinical and laryngoscopic diagnosis of reflux laryngitis were submitted to 24-hour ambulatory double probe esophageal PH-monitoring for confirmation of the diagnosis. Results: It was found that only 25% of patients presented with a positive test according to the interpretation of the examiner, but when careful review of the, tracings was carried out an additional nine cases of pathological reflux at the proximal probe were found, totaling 70% of confirmed proximal reflux. The remaining patients were those with-mild or moderate symptoms and laryngeal-findings. Discussion and conclusions: The authors discuss the possible reasons for such a high rate of false-negative 24-hour double probe esophageal pH-metry in the current study and the need of creating parameters for the interpretation of this test.