Endoscopic Assessment of Esophagitis with Transnasal Esophagoscopy in the Prediction of Treatment Response

  • Chung, Eun-Jae (Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Min-Woo (Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Kwang-Yoon (Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2013.12.06
  • Accepted : 2014.05.20
  • Published : 2014.06.30

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the endoscopic evidence of esophagitis in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) patients using transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) and to correlate these findings with treatment response. Methods : Fifty patients underwent TNE at Korea University Anam Hospital from July 2007 to Feb 2009. Participants were selected from patients that presented with various laryngeal symptoms. One experienced otolaryngologist assessed esophagitis according to the Los Angeles classification system using the TNE findings. Results : Fifteen of 50 LPR patients (30%) were found to have esophagitis (12 patients with Grade A, 3 patients with Grade B, no patients with grade C/ D esophagitis). Among the 15 patients positive for esophagitis based on the endoscopic findings, 12 (80%) showed symptom improvement after pharmacological therapy. Symptom improvement was correlated with evidence of esophagitis (p=0.002) but not with RFS (p=0.749). Conclusion : Endoscopic evaluation of esophagitis using TNE is a potentially valuable tool for predicting treatment response in LPRD patients.

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