Objective: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) by using narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy.
Study design: A prospective study.
Setting: A large-volume practice with tertiary care providers.
Methods: A total of 67 patients with suspected LPR who underwent 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring were included from June 2020 to March 2022. Manifestations of NBI endoscopy included submucosal clustered brownish microvessels (CBMs), spotted brownish microvessels, and no special microvessels; the latter 2 formed the non-CBM group. The manifestations of all patients and their changes were observed after 8 weeks of proton pump inhibitor and symptomatic treatment for patients with LPR, and symptomatic treatment for patients without LPR.
Results: According to the results of 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring, the incidence of submucosal CBMs was significantly higher in patients with LPR (30 cases) than in those without LPR (37 cases, P < .001), particularly in the posterior cricoid area (P < .001). Besides Reflux Finding Score, the incidence of signs such as subglottic edema and vocal fold edema was significantly higher in the CBM group than the non-CBM group (P < .05). Finally, 22 patients with LPR (91.7%) and only 2 patients without LPR (28.6%) underwent a transformation from CBMs to spotted brownish microvessels after continuous medication for 8 weeks in the CBM group (χ2 = 15.916, P < .001), while no significant change was observed in patients with or without LPR in the non-CBM group (P > .05).
Conclusion: Submucosal CBMs in the posterior cricoid area under NBI endoscopy may be a characteristic of LPR.
Keywords: NBI endoscopy; RFS; RSI; laryngopharyngeal reflux; pH monitoring.
© 2022 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.