Faculty Collaboration Database

Pharyngo-UES contractile reflex in patients with posterior laryngitis. Laryngoscope 1998 Sep;108(9):1354-7

Date

09/17/1998

Pubmed ID

9738756

DOI

10.1097/00005537-199809000-00018

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0031715054 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   48 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have shown that stimulation of the human pharynx by injection of minute amounts of water stimulates the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex. It has been suggested that this reflex may be activated during pharyngeal reflux of gastric and/or esophageal content, thus increasing the UES pressure and possibly preventing further entry of the refluxate into the pharynx. However, the integrity of this reflex in patients with posterior laryngitis has not been studied.

AIM: Evaluate the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex in a group of patients with objective findings of posterior laryngitis.

METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients with posterior laryngitis (mean age, 48+/-6 y) and 13 healthy volunteers (mean age, 53+/-6 y) were studied by concurrent pharyngeal water stimulation and UES manometry.

RESULTS: The threshold volume required to evoke the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex in the laryngitis group (0.4+/-0.05 mL) was significantly higher than that of the control (0.2+/-0.04 mL) (P < .05). Following stimulation of the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex, the maximum postinjection pressure in patients (75+/-6 mm Hg) was similar to that of the controls (78+/-6 mm Hg). The percent increase in UES pressure following stimulation of the reflex in the laryngitis group (99%+/-15%) was significantly higher than that of controls (55%+/-11%) (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with normal controls, a significantly larger volume of liquid is required to trigger this reflex in patients with posterior laryngitis. When triggered, the maximum UES pressure induced by the pharyngo-UES contractile reflex is similar between the two groups. These findings suggest an altered afferent sensory limb of this reflex in patients with posterior laryngitis.

Author List

Ulualp SO, Toohill RJ, Kern M, Shaker R

Author

Reza Shaker MD Assoc Provost, Sr Assoc Dean, Ctr Dir, Chief, Prof in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Esophagogastric Junction
Female
Humans
Laryngitis
Male
Manometry
Muscle Contraction
Pharynx
Reflex
Time Factors