Introducing Minimally Invasive Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Testing to the Space Coast
What is Airway Reflux?
GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is being increasingly identified in the United States with nearly 10% of the adult population experiencing heartburn on a daily basis. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) malfunctions, thereby allowing stomach acid to escape into the esophagus. When this reflux extends past the Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) into the upper airway, LaryngoPharyngeal Reflux (LPR) occurs.
When should LPR be suspected in Children?
Unlike adults, the manifestations of LPR in children are very variable, are based on age, and have required a high degree of suspicion by the physician. Infants and toddlers may have some “spitting up” that frequently results in nasal congestion, snoring, runny nose and repeated croup. Older children can have asthma that is not responding to traditional medications, repeated sinus infections, hoarseness, chronic cough, and bad breath. We have even identified some children with sleep apnea whose underlying problem was LPR. Until recently, readily available, minimally invasive, objective testing for LPR has not been available and many children with LPR have gone undiagnosed and have continued to suffer.
How is LPR Diagnosed?
The newest, state-of-the-art technology to test for LPR involves a minimally invasive catheter that is placed in the child’s nose in the office. The tip of the catheter sits behind the soft palate and reliably measures pH in the upper airway in real-time while achieving maximum patient comfort; once placed, the child goes home with the catheter and returns the following day for removal and data analysis. The technology utilizes the Restech Dx-pH Measurement System which remotely monitors the pH in the upper airway. The single-channel 1.0 mm Dx-pH Probe takes a reading every 1/2 second throughout a 24-hour study; all the data is transmitted wirelessly and stored on an SD card for future review with the Dx–pH DataView software program.
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