Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease with Digital Imaging

Abstract

Objective improvement of signs of LPRD can be detected after 6 weeks of PPI therapy using digital LVS. The Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease Index is a useful valid clinical tool for following treatment response to PPI therapy.

Perceptual and Acoustic Characteristics of Voice Changes in Reflux Laryngitis Patients

“…[1][2][3][4] The peculiarities of topographic localization and the physiology of the larynx facilitate the direct negative impact of the pathological gastroesophageal reflux on the laryngeal mucosa manifesting as edema, erythema, and hypertrophy in all parts of the larynx. [1][2][3][4][5] This can interfere with the phonation pattern and cause hoarseness, voice fatigue, and hypertonic phonation. 1,3,[6][7][8] Vagally mediated reflex can also occur when the lower esophagus is exposed to gastric acid and stimulates abnormal muscle contraction in the upper aerodigestive tract, along with excessive salivation, that has a negative impact on laryngeal phonatory function.…”

Voice Problems among Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Patients Diagnosed with Oropharyngeal pH Monitoring

“…However, there is controversy regarding the placement of the proximal probe as well as its sensitivity and specificity in the detection of LPR. Although a proximal esophageal probe proved to have excellent specificity (more than 90%), it had poor sensitivity and reproducibility [5,6,7,8,9]. Moreover, abnormal findings reported in the distal esophageal probe can prove the existence of gastroesophageal reflux but do not indicate the occurrence of LPR [6].…”

Diagnostic and management problems of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in children

“…The RFS has been successfully used in documenting treatment efficacy with twice-daily PPIs, although these results were not confirmed with repeat pH testing [50]. Beaver et al [51] used a separate score, the laryngopharyngeal reflux disease index, to quantify the improvement in the laryngeal examination after a 6-week trial of PPIs [51]. In this study, edema and erythema of the posterior supraglottis, vocal folds or subglottis were the most useful findings for diagnosis of reflux.…”