Lack of Association Between Esophageal Biopsy, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, and Endoscopy Findings in Hoarse Children

Abstract

The incidence of vocal quality disturbances in school-aged children is approximately 7%.1 Vocal nodules, the most common benign laryngeal mass lesions in childhood, are found in approximately 67% of hoarse children.2 In recent years, an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngeal disorders has become the focus of intense study.3 However, there is no consensus on the most practicable and accurate technique for diagnosing GERD in children, and the existence of a relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and posterior laryngitis, silent aspiration, hoarseness, and vocal nodules in children has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to review the findings of upper aerodigestive tract endoscopy, including the results of tests for GERD and aspiration (esophageal biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage), in consecutive children with hoarseness to determine whether there was any discernible association between esophageal biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) results on the one hand, and clinical history and subjective endoscopic findings on the other.