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Reflux and aerodigestive tract diseases

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Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can present with a wide variety of extraesophageal symptoms. In particular, the type of disease characterized predominately by laryngopharyngeal reflux may be difficult to diagnose because of the absence of regurgitation or heartburn. The available battery of diagnostic tools is often insufficient to confirm a diagnosis of reflux, so the diagnosis is often made by elimination. In many cases, treatment with proton pump inhibitors will relieve symptoms and respiratory complications, despite the persistence of non-acidic reflux. Such treatment is often employed to “confirm” the diagnosis, as measured by patient response. Many diseases have been related to this condition in the literature. The authors review knowledge about these manifestations and their relationship with refluxed gastric content. Physiopathology, symptoms and treatment are reviewed in order to clarify our understanding of laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases and related manifestations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain

    Andrés Coca-Pelaz & Juan P. Rodrigo

  2. Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain

    Juan P. Rodrigo

  3. Division of Gastroenterology, S. Antonio Hospital, Padua, Italy

    Daniela Paccagnella

  4. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Robert P. Takes

  5. ENT Clinic, University of Udine, Piazzale S. Maria della Misericordia, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Alessandra Rinaldo & Alfio Ferlito

  6. Departments of Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Carl E. Silver

  7. Oral Pathology, School of Dental Sciences and Dental Hospital, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    Julia A. Woolgar

  8. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Michael L. Hinni

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  1. Andrés Coca-Pelaz
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  2. Juan P. Rodrigo
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  3. Daniela Paccagnella
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  4. Robert P. Takes
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  5. Alessandra Rinaldo
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  7. Julia A. Woolgar
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  9. Alfio Ferlito
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Correspondence to Alfio Ferlito.

Additional information

This paper was written by members and invitees of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group (http://www.IHNSG.com).

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Coca-Pelaz, A., Rodrigo, J.P., Paccagnella, D. et al. Reflux and aerodigestive tract diseases. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 270, 417–423 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-012-2085-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-012-2085-5

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