Laryngotracheal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

The reflux of gastric acid into the upper aerodigestive tract results in a wide range of findings. Whereas significant advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal reflux, the laryngotracheal manifestations of reflux disease remain more poorly understood. In patients with extraesophageal pathology, history, clinical suspicion, and a trial of acid suppression therapy remain the best means of arriving at a correct diagnosis. Increased understanding of the natural antireflux barriers and the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease are changing our approach to this disease. The availability of proton pump inhibitors has markedly increased the efficacy of medical therapy, and the increasing evidence implicating bile reflux in disease has led to a reemer-gence of antireflux surgery.